‘I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands’ – Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has provided the clearest indication yet that he intends to retain George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the team's driver lineup for 2026, despite persistent speculation linking Max Verstappen to the Silver Arrows. Wolff stated, "I want to stay with Kimi and George as it stands," dismissing the idea of a Russell/Verstappen pairing as "far-fetched" and not realistic. While Russell's contract status for next season remains unconfirmed, Wolff emphasized that ongoing negotiations are a normal part of the process, not driven by financial issues. This statement reinforces Mercedes' commitment to its current talent development strategy, prioritizing its young proteges over a high-profile, potentially disruptive, external acquisition.