Mercedes double down on Russell and Antonelli for next season, Wolff confirms
Toto Wolff Reinforces Mercedes’ Commitment to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team principal Toto Wolff has reinforced the team's commitment to George Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli, dismissing speculation surrounding a potential move for Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen. Speaking to Austria's ORF television ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes has no immediate plans to shake up its driver roster.
"The direction of travel is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the first priority," Wolff stated. "You can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises."
Speculation Around Verstappen’s Future
The rumor mill around Verstappen's future at Red Bull has been in overdrive, especially after the Dutchman’s hopes for a fifth consecutive world championship have taken a significant hit. Sitting third in the standings at the midway point of the season, Verstappen trails McLaren leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points and Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris by 61 points. With thirteen rounds left in the grueling 24-race season, Verstappen's potential to reclaim the title appears increasingly slim.
The situation at Red Bull has only fueled further speculation. The team's decision to part ways with long-serving boss Christian Horner earlier this month and install Laurent Mekies as the new team principal raised eyebrows across the paddock. Meanwhile, rumors persist about Verstappen eyeing opportunities elsewhere, particularly with the looming introduction of a new engine era in 2026, where Mercedes is expected to have a competitive edge in power unit development.
Mercedes’ Commitment to Russell and Antonelli
George Russell, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, remains a cornerstone of the Brackley-based squad. Despite being only 25 years old, Russell has become a steady performer for the team and is fully integrated into the Mercedes ecosystem, which also manages his career.
Joining the conversation is 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, who became part of the Formula 1 grid this year but is already touted as a prodigious talent for the future. Despite his youth, Antonelli’s development trajectory aligns with Mercedes’ forward-looking philosophy.
With these two drivers, Wolff appears satisfied with the team’s current direction, dampening the Verstappen rumors that had been stoked by off-track events earlier in the month.
Wolff Addresses Vacation Speculation
Fan speculation surged after reports surfaced that Wolff and Verstappen were both vacationing in Sardinia at the same time earlier this month. While the coincidence led many to theorize about behind-the-scenes negotiations, Wolff was quick to downplay the chatter.
"If you go on holiday close to each other, it doesn't mean that you are also going to work together in Formula 1," said the Mercedes boss. "We have always got along well. We also happen to vacation in similar areas."
The ORF segment also shed light on Verstappen's current arrangement with Red Bull, which includes performance-based clauses. However, his contract would only have been eligible for release if he had fallen outside the top three in the standings after Silverstone. With Verstappen still third overall, the clause remains inactive, making a sudden switch highly unlikely.
Looking Ahead to Spa-Francorchamps
As attention turns to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, Mercedes’ strategy for the future appears clear: staying loyal to their drivers and focusing on long-term goals, even as their rivals face uncertainties. For fans hoping for another blockbuster F1 transfer saga, it seems 2025 will be business as usual at Mercedes.
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