Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has implied that he won’t revive his interest in Max Verstappen as there is no reason to “break a team on a positive trajectory” in Formula 1.
Red Bull’s struggle to provide Verstappen with a package that can challenge the dominant McLarens has renewed reports that he could be enticed to head elsewhere.
Mercedes has long been considered Verstappen’s probable destination should he ever seek to leave Red Bull amid Wolff’s interest in his services dating back to 2014.
However, George Russell is expected to pen a contract extension amid an outstanding start to the campaign that has produced four podiums in the opening six races.
Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, has thrived alongside the Briton since succeeding the now-departed Lewis Hamilton, landing his maiden pole position in Miami.
Wolff reiterated that he is committed to the team’s current driver pairing as the German marque aims to return to title contention once the regulations change in 2026.
“George is part of the Mercedes family and has always been,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week in Miami.
“As I see things today, why break a team that is on a trajectory I see as positive?”
Wolff heralds Russell emergence
Wolff complimented how Russell has made a seamless adaption to being the recognised team leader since Hamilton elected to move onto pastures new with Ferrari.
“I think it becomes so obvious, when a seven-time World Champion leaves the team which he was with for 12 years, George, who like everyone has always been a little bit in the shadow of Lewis, is now the one giving direction,” he explained.
“He’s the one you can rely on when it’s ‘George, where’s the pace of the car?’ And that is important. That is what we do.”
Mercedes environment hasn’t changed
However, Wolff discarded the notion that a teenage Antonelli replacing an established star in Hamilton has triggered a drastic change in the atmosphere at Mercedes.
When that was put to him, the Austrian responded: “No, I wouldn’t say so. Lewis was part of the family.
“As a racing driver, he knew exactly what he wanted and the engineers and mechanics knew him. He knew them. We got along.
“You have good days, bad days, strengths and weaknesses. But when you know someone that well, it’s easy to manage that.
“Now the dynamic is different. George has massively stepped up as a senior driver in the team. Kimi is almost like the young brother that’s come in.
“They work well together, which is very pleasing to see.
“Kimi doesn’t stress too much, he’s just building up constantly. And on George, you can rely on him when it comes to lap times and racing. So spirits are high.”
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