Toto Wolff has made it clear that Mercedes “don’t want to change things” when it comes to their driver line-up, brushing off any further links to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Mercedes were forced into a driver change for the 2025 season when Lewis Hamilton made his blockbuster move to Ferrari, with teenager Kimi Antonelli chosen as George Russell’s new team mate.
Asked in an interview with Sky Sports F1 if Russell’s recent comments mean he is locked in at Mercedes for 2027, and that Verstappen is now “off the radar”, Wolff commented: “Yeah, we don’t want to change things.
“We’ve said it also to George, and I think it’s a line-up that is good for us. I’m very happy with the two of them.”
Wolff was also asked to give his thoughts on the dynamic between Russell and Antonelli so far this season – with the experienced 28-year-old facing a stern challenge from his 19-year-old counterpart.
“When you go into F1, you are resilient, and you have to believe in yourself,” said Wolff, in terms of how Russell is coping and responding. “I think George is particularly good at that.
“All throughout his career there have been ebbs and flows, and when someone appears to be very quick, but he has always been able to find himself and win.
“I have no doubt that that’s going to continue. Kimi is clearly very fast, that’s why we hired him, and George the same.”
Russell will start Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix from pole position, with Antonelli back in fourth, after a Q3 phase impacted by Verstappen’s heavy crash and the subsequent yellow flags.