The Formula 1 world has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation that Max Verstappen would make a shocking move to Mercedes, leaving Red Bull behind. Those rumors only picked up pace when Red Bull parted ways with Christian Horner following the British Grand Prix, the only Team Principal in the team’s history.
Toto Wolff makes the ‘priority’ clear for Mercedes’ driver lineup
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff addressed speculation over Max Verstappen
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
But speaking with Austrian outlet ORF ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it clear that the team’s “priority” is their current driver lineup, George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli.
“The direction is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That’s our top priority,” said Wolff.
“Everyone is up to date.”
Wolff also brushed aside questions over a trip to Sardinia, where Verstappen was also vacationing, during the recent F1 hiatus. Internet sleuths tracked Verstappen’s plane to the island in the Mediterranean Sea, believing it was an indication that a deal was coming near.
There were even images — later found to be photoshopped — that showed Wolff climbing aboard Verstappen’s plane.
“What’s new is that people are making photo collages with airplanes. We’ve never had that before. Just because you vacation near each other doesn’t mean you’ll work together in Formula 1,” added Wolff. “We’ve always gotten along well. It just so happens that we also vacation in similar areas.”
One reason that the rumors about Verstappen departing Red Bull before his contract expires in 2028 involved an exit clause in his deal with the team, which allows him to leave should he fall from outside the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings. According to reporting from ORF, that deal has now expired for this season. ORF indicates that the exit clause would have been triggered had Verstappen fallen from the top three of the standings by the midway point of the season.
The British Grand Prix was the 12th race of the 2025 F1 season, and with 12 races remaining, Verstappen remains in third, behind only Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the standings.
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