Max Verstappen is involved in “concrete negotiations” with Mercedes amid a willingness to exit his Formula 1 deal with Red Bull, according to an Italian media report.
The long-standing rumours connecting Verstappen with a possible move to Mercedes were reignited last week as George Russell claimed the two parties are in talks.
Wolff indicated that there is substance to Russell’s revelation when quizzed on the topic, though he conceded that it is improbable that an agreement will be finalised.
However, Sky Italy has now reported that the Dutchman’s entourage is engaged in genuine discussions with Mercedes that could see him complete a switch for 2026.
Verstappen heading to Mercedes would guarantee that either Russell or rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, both awaiting extensions, have to vacate their place.
Wolff insisted post-race in Austria last weekend that he wants a decision on the side’s driver line-up to be announced prior to the summer break ending in late August.
“You need to be respectable towards the stakeholders in all of that process,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.
“The organisation, the drivers, everybody. You need to understand the way forward.
“And I don’t want to be sadistic in letting a driver wait or not taking any decisions when it should be taken. So I feel we’re in a good space. We’re [in] June.
“Obviously there’s lots of discussions around. I’ve been open with it and transparent.
“And at a certain stage in the next couple of months – until the summer break, we need to know. Until the summer break, everything is going to be done.”
Red Bull insists Verstappen will remain
However, Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner has continued to be adamant that the renewed speculation is all “noise” that Verstappen would be unenamoured with.
“It’s a lot of noise,” Horner stated on Sky Sports F1. “I think Max gets quite annoyed by it.
“We’re very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028. So anything is entirely speculative that is said, but we tend not to pay too much attention to it.
“I can imagine that George is frustrated he hasn’t been given a contract yet, but that’s between him and his team.
“But the situation with Max, we know clearly where we’re at and obviously so does Max.
“So everything is subject to noise and obviously within any contract it remains confidential between the parties.”
Has Austria DNF pushed Verstappen closer to Red Bull exit?
Verstappen’s Red Bull deal – signed in 2021 – is known to contain break clauses related to his position in the Drivers’ Championship that could permit a premature exit.
The reigning F1 champion’s dwindling title hopes this season endured a catastrophic blow last weekend as he was eliminated on the opening lap at the Red Bull Ring.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who has close ties to the Verstappen camp, expressed that he has no concern about the potential consequences the race could have.
“I assume people will use a race like this to stir things up,” the Austrian said. “But again: Verstappen has a contract through 2028.
“Like all top drivers, there are performance-based exit clauses – but as things currently stand, there is absolutely no reason that this contract won’t be fulfilled.”
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