George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are Mercedes’ “absolute precedence” in F1

Mercedes Method 1 chief Toto Wolff says persevering with with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 season is the “completely precedence” amid conversations with Max Verstappen’s entourage.

Over the previous few weeks it emerged that Verstappen’s camp had sounded out Wolff over future plans, because the Dutchman weighs up his choices to stay in a aggressive automotive sooner or later.

Verstappen has a Purple Bull contract till 2028, however with varied escape clauses that may be activated by the upcoming summer season break, in addition to subsequent yr. And with Purple Bull dropping key employees, being seemingly unable to make huge enhancements to its present automotive’s weaknesses and charting unknown territory in 2026 with its in-house energy models, there are query marks over Purple Bull’s long-term title credentials.

Nonetheless, these unknowns for 2026 additionally apply to all different groups, so it has at all times been extra doubtless that Verstappen would bide his time and see which staff has actually made the most effective begin within the new period earlier than committing to a drastic transfer.

However, the saga has added a dramatic twist to the foolish season, with Mercedes’ present driver Russell caught in a holding sample as he goals to signal an extension to his expiring contract. Rookie Antonelli additionally needs to be formally confirmed for 2026.

Chatting with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Mercedes boss Wolff has mentioned persevering with with Russell and Antonelli is the “absolute precedence” for him, and has performed down any “huge surprises” over the summer season break.

“Discussions have been happening over the past weeks and months, so they’re all updated,” Wolff mentioned.

“The route of journey is certainly that we wish to proceed with George and Kimi. That’s the absolute precedence. However you may’t look previous somebody like Max and the plans he has for the long run. We did that, however I do not assume there can be any huge surprises.”

Wolff was amused by rumours, fuelled by former F1 driver and now pundit Ralf Schumacher, that he and Verstappen had met whereas on trip in the course of the three-week hole between the British and Belgian grands prix, as each frolicked on the Italian island of Sardinia. Some fan accounts even manufactured photos of Wolff allegedly boarding Verstappen’s non-public jet.

“What’s new is that persons are doing photograph collages with airplanes. We have by no means had that earlier than,” Wolff shrugged.

“However in case you spend your holidays shut to one another, it does not imply that you’ll work collectively in Method 1. We’ve at all times gotten alongside properly and by likelihood we wish to spend our holidays on the similar locations.”

Wolff’s feedback do not essentially rule out a transfer for Verstappen for 2027 and past, which suggests there’s nonetheless some intrigue over the precise size of any contract renewal for Russell, who is probably going holding out for a agency, long-term dedication.