Mercedes team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff has denied rumors on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix weekend that he’s still seeking to sign reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen for 2026.

Toto Wolff said signing Max Verstappen is no longer on Mercedes' "radar" as he prepares to enter talks to extend George Russell's contract with the team. After Lewis Hamilton announced he was leaving Mercedes to move to Ferrari in 2025,

Saying he does not ‘flirt outside if I am in a good relationship’, Wolff says he will focus on his drivers George Russell, Kimi Antonelli.

But, both parties would later distance themselves from the idea of joining forces, Verstappen going on to secure a fourth consecutive World Championship, while Mercedes named their 18-year-old academy graduate Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, as the seven-time champion departed for Ferrari.

Toto Wolff says signing F1 world champion Max Verstappen is no longer on Mercedes’ radar. Mercedes spent much of last year publicly courting Verstappen as they searched for a replacement for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton after his bombshell decision to join Ferrari, before eventually promoting teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli.

Toto Wolff, el director del equipo Mercedes, desmintió los rumores en la víspera del fin de semana del Gran Premio de Australia de que tiene la

Live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says a pitch to sign Max Verstappen for 2026 is "not on any radar". George Russell's Mercedes contract runs out at the end of this season and Wolff had talks with Verstappen last year before opting for Italian 18-year-old rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton,

The current driver line-up of Mercedes for the 2025 season will see it have rookie prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking up a spot along with George Russell.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said thoughts of pursuing four-time world champion Max Verstappen is no longer on his radar and that talks to extend George Russell's contract will take place most likely in the summer.

Toto Wolff has put an end to the speculation surrounding a potential move for Max Verstappen to Mercedes. The team boss has stated that he is satisfied with his current driver lineup, consisting of George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli,