However, when asked by Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle ahead of Sprint Qualifying at Spa whether it would be viable to have both Russell and Verstappen in the team next season, Wolff gave the clearest indication yet that the driver line-up of Russell and Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli would be retained in 2026.
“This [Russell and Verstappen] is all more in the let’s say long-shot, far-fetched [ideas] because I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands,” he said.
“Everything else is not realistic but obviously [if] you have a Russell/Verstappen line-up that’s Prost/Senna I guess, no?”
Brundle then asked how the situation works given Wolff and Mercedes manage Russell, who has been part of the German manufacturer’s programme since his junior racing days despite only being in his fourth season with the F1 factory outfit.
He said: “We try to pick up young drivers very early in their careers and we are financing all of it so we’re not asking any contribution from the parents or any sponsors. And for that at a certain time we have the managerial rights and it’s very similar to what Red Bull has.”
Wolff added that money was not a key factor as to why no decision had been made yet, stressing that the ongoing negotiations are a normal aspect before completing any deal.
“I think it’s more that you guys make a lot of pressure and because it’s an interesting topic it’s completely normal,” he said.
“We have those negotiations and those discussions, every driver wants to have a better car and more money. Completely normal behaviour and that’s not going to be the crucial point.”
.webp?ssl=1 "George Russell heads Mercedes 1-2 in opening practice session in Japan")
