Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff says he’s now not attempting to signal Max Verstappen from Pink Bull.
Wolff made a really public pursuit of Verstappen at varied phases of final season as he sought a substitute for Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion determined to affix Ferrari.
Mercedes finally signed Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli to drive alongside George Russell, who Wolff insists is a part of the staff’s long-term plan regardless of his present contract expiring on the finish of the 2025 season.
“We need to concentrate on our driver line-up,” Wolff stated on Thursday forward of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
“I do not flirt exterior if I am in a great relationship, and that’s true for this yr too.
“So for the time being that [a move for Verstappen] just isn’t on any radar.
“I don’t plan to shift my concentration away from these guys and make sure that George has some visibility very soon, or has a contract very soon.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Verstappen shared an trustworthy admission of Pink Bull’s efficiency post-testing, saying they aren’t the quickest
Verstappen is contracted to Pink Bull till the tip of 2028, however is thought to have break clauses in his deal which may set off an earlier exit.
The Dutchman gained a fourth successive drivers’ title in 2024 however there was hypothesis over his Pink Bull future amid a number of off-track points on the staff, together with a feud between his father Jos Verstappen and staff principal Christian Horner.
Wolff expects Russell contract talks ‘earlier than the summer season’
Russell has been spectacular since becoming a member of Mercedes in 2022, ending forward of Hamilton in two of their three seasons as team-mates and claiming three race victories together with 5 pole positions.
Regardless of that type, Russell’s future with the staff seemed to be in some doubt amid their curiosity in Verstappen, however Wolff says contract talks with the Brit at the moment are within the offing.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights as George Russell claimed his most up-to-date race victory on the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November
He stated: “We have had a chat 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 and these three [Russell, Antonelli and reserve driver Valtteri Bottas] are the combination that I want to go forward with Mercedes.
“I’ve no different causes to doubt that, quite the opposite. And we’re going discover a while I suppose earlier than the summer season. We’ll try this in a well timed method with out disrupting the season.”
Russell, who was sat alongside Wolff on the Melbourne occasion, stated he was snug with focus being on getting the staff again into championship competition slightly than his personal future.
“We have had such a long-term relationship and so much trust between one another and we are focused on getting Mercedes back on top and trying to win races and championships,” Russell stated.
“Performance speaks, so from my side there is no pressure. I’ve got no doubts about myself and everything falls into place when the timing is right. We have bigger fish to fry right now, which is getting us back on top.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Australian GP schedule
Thursday March 13
- 9.45pm: F3 Apply
- 10.55pm: F2 Apply
Friday March 14
- 1am: Australian GP Apply One (session begins at 1.30am)*
- 2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
- 3.40am: Group Principals’ Press Convention
- 4.45am: Australian GP Apply Two (session begins at 5am)*
- 6.25am: F2 Qualifying*
- 7.15am: The F1 Present*
Saturday March 15
- 12.10am: F3 Dash*
- 1.10am: Australian GP Apply Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
- 3.10am: F2 Dash*
- 4.15am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
- 5am: AUSTRALIAN GP QUALIFYING*
- 7am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
7.30am: Australian GP Qualifying Replay* (9am on Sky Showcase) - 9.55pm: F3 Function Race*
Sunday March 16
- 12.25am: F2 Function Race*
- 2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
- 6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
- 7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
- 7.55am: Australian GP race replay
- 10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky Showcase)
- 7pm: Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Untold Tragedy
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Components 1 season stay on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
