© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Toto Wolff has confirmed his commitment to Mercedes’ current driver line-up, and says he doesn’t “flirt outside if I´m in a good relationship”.
There has been a lot of talk throughout 2024, regarding Toto Wolff’s interest in attracting Max Verstappen to Mercedes.
With a big F1 regulations change coming in 2026, and George Russell’s contract with Mercedes expiring at the end of this year, rumours of Verstappen’s possible move to the German outfit are bound to continue, however, Wolff says he is committed to the team’s current line-up.
“I think we´ve said it pretty clearly last year, and [Verstappen] said the same, we need to concentrate on our driver line-up, we need to do [the best with] that we have,” the Austrian said ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
“I don´t flirt outside if I´m in a good relationship, and that is true for this year, too.
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“So, at the moment that is not on any, let´s say, radar and I don´t plan to shift my concentration away from these guys.
“And [I want to] make sure that George has a contract [extension] pretty soon and we agree on the final things,” he explained.
Toto added he expects to have contract extension talks with Russell before the F1 summer break.
“We have had a chat [with Russell] a few weeks ago about what the right timing would be to liaise, and I´m – naively or not – someone that sticks to what he says.
“These three [Russell, Antonelli and reserve driver Bottas] are the combination that I want to go forward with Mercedes, and I have no reasons to doubt that.
“We´re going to find some time, I guess, before the summer,” he concluded.
George, who was seated next to Toto during the media session, also confirmed his is committed to Mercedes for the long haul.
“We´ve had such a long-term relationship, and there´s so much trust,” the Briton said.
“We are focused on getting Mercedes back on top and trying to win races, and championships, and to be honest in this sport, the performance speaks [for itself],” he concluded.
