Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff confirmed his interest in signing the quadruple world champion in the title of Formula 1 Max Verstappen on Friday.
On Thursday, Mercedes pilot George Russell told journalists that his contract renewal talks were delayed due to the pursuit by the Red Bull Verstappen team.
In response, Wolff said that his interest in Verstappen had nothing to do with the conclusion of a new agreement for Russell, 27, whose contract expires at the end of the year.
“First of all, there is no delay in George’s contractual situation, because it’s quite clear for a long time what our schedules were,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “We have known each other for so long, so there is no delay.
“But also as a team director responsible for the best car brand in the world, it is clear that you explore what a quadruple world champion will do in the future, and it could be long in the future. But that has no effect on us by putting a signature on the George contract.”
Wolff said he was transparent with Russell about Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen.
“I am always open to these things, and I say it like that and there is no such that” we are going to sign Max “because it is so far that it is not realistic at this stage,” he told Sky Sports. “With George, we are talking about everything.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, is under contract to Red Bull until 2028.
Asked about speculation and in which team he expected to drive in 2026, Verstappen did not give a direct response to journalists Thursday before the Austrian Grand Prix.
“It is not really in my mind. I drive well, trying to push the performance, then we focus on next year,” said the 27 -year -old Dutch driver.
– field level media