Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has denied that failing to secure Max Verstappen for 2026 played a role in the decision to extend the team’s current drivers in Formula 1.
Prior to last weekend’s United States Grand Prix, questions remained over the future of both Mercedes drivers, despite claims a deal was nothing more than a formality.
All talk of a shock development was finally put to rest last week, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli being announced as Mercedes’ line-up for next season.
Wolff has since admitted errors in how the negotiations were handled, but denied his plain sight courting of Verstappen played any role in the delay that materialised.
Addressing to Sky Sports that “there wasn’t any on-purpose flirting” with Verstappen, he admitted the constant questioning over a deal was “destabilising for everyone”.
Elaborating to media in Friday’s press conference, including Motorsport Week, Wolff defended his decision to explore the reigning F1 champion’s situation once more.
“Being open and transparent is the best path forward,” he said.” Sometimes it bites you a bit.
“And when you look back, maybe certain events could have been better – coincidences that happened. But I’ve always done it in the most straightforward and fair way.
“I stand by the driver choices – by George and Kimi. Like I said, this is the full focus, and that was always the aim, throughout the more tricky part over the summer.”
A Mercedes line-up that was never in doubt?
The line-up of Russell and Antonelli is one of the sport’s most dynamic, combining experience with youthful exuberance, factors that Wolff stated played a large role in their extensions.
“It was always the decision that we took from the get-go,” the Austrian said. “It was the lineup that we chose last year.
“We knew that George can hold up the leadership role in there. It’s been really great, and Kimi is in a learning year. So going forward, it was pretty much a no-brainer.
“When you look at [Antonelli’s] junior record, his personality, there’s no doubt in me or within the team that it was the wrong decision to take and give him the opportunity.”
Defending Antonelli after his tough European leg of the season, where he scored just three points in nine races, Wolff said he was hopeful the Italian would end the season on a high.
“You have five races to go- tracks that he doesn’t know. I’m sure we’re going to see some very good results. We’re going to see trickier sessions and trickier weekends.
“But all of that is being reset with the start of next season. He will have seen the tracks. The cars are new for every driver – that’s a big factor.
“These guys have been around these cars for a while, and he will have seen how to best manage pressure from the media and all of the stakeholders.
“That was the aim for this season – to do exactly that.”
READ MORE – George Russell admits Toto Wolff could’ve been ‘tighter’ with terms of new Mercedes F1 deal
Discussion about this post