Max Verstappen: Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff says he has moved at the moment to sign a Red Bull driver ‘is not on any radar’ | | F1 news
The Mercedes team director Toto Wolff says she is no longer trying to sign Max Verstappen from the Red Bull.
Wolff was very publicly chased by Verstappen at various stages last season, as he sought a replacement for Lewis Hamilton after the seven -time world champion decided to join Ferrari.
Mercedes eventually signed the Italian teenager Andre Kimi Antonelli to drive with George Russell, who insists that Wolff is part of the long -term team plan, despite his current contract expired at the end of the 2025 season.
“We have to concentrate on our driver’s line,” Wolff said on Thursday before the Grand Prix, which opened the season.
“I don’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship, and this is true of this year.
“So at this point [a move for Verstappen] Not on any radar.
“I do not plan to divert my concentration from these guys and ensure that George has some visibility very quickly or has a contract very quickly.”
Verstappen was contracted with the Red Bull by the end of 2028, but it is known that he has clauses about interruption in his agreement, which could start an earlier exit.
The Dutchman won the fourth consecutive title of driver in 2024, but there were speculations on his future Red Bull in the middle of several problems outside the trails on the team, including the altercation between his father, Jos Verstappen and the director of the team of Christian Horner.
Wolff expects Russell to talk to ‘before the summer’
Russell has been impressive since joining Mercedes in 2022, ending up in front of Hamilton in two of his three seasons as teammates and looking for three wins in the race, along with five sex positions.
Despite this form, Russell seemed to have been in doubt as a result of their interest in Verstappen, but Wolff says contractual contracts with Britain are now in that.
He said, “A few weeks ago we talked about what the right moment would be to connect, and I am – naive or not – someone who holds on to what he says and these three [Russell, Antonelli and reserve driver Valtteri Bottas] are the combination I want to go forward with Mercedes.
“I have no other reason to doubt it, on the contrary. And we will find some time before the summer. We will do this in a timely manner without disturbing the season.”
Russell, who was sitting with Wolff at the Melbourne event, said he was comfortable with being focused on the team to return to the championship claim, not his own future.
“We had such a long -term relationship and so much confidence to each other and we focused on returning Mercedes to the top and trying to win races and championships,” Russell said.
“The performance speaks, so on my part there is no pressure. I have no doubt about myself and everything falls into place when the time is right. We currently have a bigger frying fish, which brings us back to the top.”
Sky Sports F1 -ov Australian GP -ASA LIVE
Thursday 13th March
- 21.45: F3 Practice
- 10.55: F2 Practice
Friday 14th March
- 1:00: Australian practice GP one (session begins at 1:30 pm)*
- 2.55 hours: F3 qualifying*
- 3.40 hours: a press conference of the team director
- 4.45 hours: Australian practice GP two (session starts at 5:00)*
- 6.25 hours: F2 qualifying*
- 7.15 hours: F1 Show*
Saturday, March 15th
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- 1.10 hours: Australian Practice GP Three (session begins at 1:30 pm)*
- 3.10 hours: F2 Sprint*
- 4.15: 00: Australian GP qualifying buildup*
- 5:00: Australian qualifying GP -A*
- 7:00: TED -O’s qualifying notebook*
7.30: 00: Australian reprise GP for qualification* (9:00 on Sky Showcase) - 21.55: F3 Race features*
Sunday 16th March
- 12.25: 00: F2 Race features*
- 2.30 hours: Australian GP Building-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 4:00: Australian Grand Prix*
- 6:00: Australian reaction GP -a: Plated flag*
- 7:00: Ted’s notebook*
- 7.55pm: Australian reproduction of GP race
- 10:00: Australian GP prominent (also on Sky Showcase)
- 7:00 pm: Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Compled Tragedy
*Also at the main event Sky Sports
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