Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has acknowledged that rumours linking Max Verstappen with a move to the team will stop once George Russell inks a new deal.
Red Bull’s troubled beginning to the season – which has included a driver swap within two races – has reignited reports that Verstappen could court a move elsewhere.
Verstappen was Wolff’s immediate top target once Lewis Hamilton announced he was leaving to Ferrari, with talks between the two parties even taking place in 2024.
The Dutchman remained committed to Red Bull as he won his fourth successive Drivers’ title, though, while Mercedes promoted rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli instead.
But while both Antonelli and Russell don’t retain contracts beyond 2025, Wolff has reiterated that the team is planning to continue with that pairing over the long-term.
Asked whether Russell’s contractual situation will be resolved soon, Wolff told Motorsport.com: “Yes, absolutely.
“I mean, it is almost an open secret that we have every intention to keep our drivers for the long term.
“We are not disclosing every discussion that we have with the drivers and that is why this is going in the direction that it should go.”
Wolff denies Verstappen behind Russell wait
Wolff has denied that he has been waiting to see how Verstappen’s situation evolves, instead attributing the delay to the complex negotiations involved in a contract.
Put to him that renewing Russell will put an end to the speculation about Verstappen going to Mercedes, Wolff said: “Yes, exactly.
“But there is more to any contract than just giving a driver the fixed guarantee that he is going to be in the car.
“There are terms to it that you need to discuss for the best interest of the team and the driver, so it is a structured process.”
Mercedes faith in Russell triggered Antonelli leap
Russell’s discussions over an extension have coincided with him sustaining his most productive beginning to an F1 campaign with podiums in the opening two races.
Wolff, who has branded Russell among the three best drivers on the grid, explained that his trust in the Briton’s abilities had a role in the decision to promote Antonelli.
“Why is he underrated? I don’t know,” the Austrian pondered. “He is a top, top driver and we are lucky to have him.
“The decision to take Kimi on board, we dared to do it because we knew that we have George as a benchmark.
“The car doesn’t go much faster than George and we know where the car will be with George, and that is the benchmark for Kimi.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen ‘not on Mercedes radar’ as George Russell contract talks loom
