Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has always admired Max Verstappen and never hid his desire to sign him. Reports linking the Dutchman to the Brackley-based outfit first surfaced when Red Bull began to falter in 2024, and they only grew stronger heading into this season, with Verstappen appearing increasingly discontent and George Russell’s contract set to expire at the end of the year. However, the focus has now shifted away from Verstappen.
Four rounds into the season, which has started on a strong note for Mercedes, Toto Wolff has become fully confident of his current pairing of Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Earlier today, reports emerged of Russell potentially signing a new contract with Mercedes, which is expected to come with a hefty salary increase.
Toto Wolff is no longer interested in signing Max Verstappen.
He is now understood to be satisfied with the current line-up.
[@Motorsport] pic.twitter.com/EduAP1CbGO
— Mercedes Hub (@MercedesF1_Hub) April 14, 2025
The Kings Lynn-born driver, who currently earns around $15 million a year, is set to sign a 2+1 contract extension with Mercedes that will see his salary double to $30 million per season.
A thoroughly well-deserved reward, presumably in the eyes of Wolff, with Russell enjoying his best-ever start to a season, scoring three podiums in the opening four races.
This all but ends Wolff’s pursuit of Verstappen. The Austrian now appears fully committed to the future with his current lineup, especially with reports suggesting that even Antonelli is set to extend his one-year contract.
Recently, Wolff went as far as claiming that Russell is among the best on the grid today.
“I always said that is not right, as he [Russell] is one of the top drivers out there. If you want me to name three at the absolute top, he is one of those three, if not the top two. And maybe on his way to the top one,” he told F1 media.
Antonelli, meanwhile, has had a solid start to the season, scoring points in every race. The Italian sits sixth in the standings with 30 points, 33 behind Russell in fourth, who, for now, remains the undisputed number one driver at Mercedes.
