Toto Wolff dismissed any hesitation about managing Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes’ driver pairing at some point in the future, stating that he has weathered far more volatile situations in the past. Nevertheless, the Team Principal made it clear that he remains very pleased with George Russell, who holds a contract for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
Frustrated by Red Bull’s trajectory in recent years, the four-time World Champion became the subject of intense driver market speculation regarding a potential move. In 2025, for instance, up until the Hungarian GP, the Dutchman was heavily linked with a move to the Silver Arrows before ultimately giving the Milton Keynes outfit a vote of confidence ahead of the sweeping regulation overhaul.
Despite the brand-new Red Bull power unit being ranked as the most powerful on the grid according to the FIA’s ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) framework, the RB22 has struggled to challenge Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren for race wins so far this year—reigniting the transfer rumors surrounding Verstappen.
At present, however, paddock chatter leans more toward a potential move for the #3 driver to McLaren, potentially pairing up alongside Lando Norris. Even so, Wolff was once again pressed on a prospective partnership between the Dutchman and Mercedes, reiterating that he would have no reservations about fielding him alongside Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship standings and represents the team’s core long-term investment.
“You have to give Kimi time to develop. Max is in the prime of his career and capable of anything. They respect each other, but they belong to different generations. Putting both in the same team would, of course, create a completely different dynamic from the start,” the Team Principal told Sky Sports Germany.
“But it’s not something that keeps me up at night. I’ve dealt with a much more intense rivalry in the past with [Nico] Rosberg and [Lewis] Hamilton. Today, I’d likely manage that kind of situation much better. We wouldn’t be afraid to run both of them in the same garage at some point,” he added.
espite leaving the door open for Verstappen to land at Mercedes in the coming years, Wolff concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Russell, stating he is not looking to disrupt the current driver lineup. Despite a recent rough patch, the Briton signed a multi-year extension last season, keeping him confident about his seat for 2027.
“However, given where we stand today, we are very happy with the dynamic between Kimi and George. We’ve grown significantly as a team. Throwing another variable into the mix right now wouldn’t serve our long-term development,” Wolff concluded.
Formula 1 is currently on its summer break. The series resumes its 2026 season activities from August 21 to 23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
