Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has identified George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the team’s “absolute priority” for 2026, appearing to shut the door on the German team poaching rival driver Max Verstappen.

Four-time world champion Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through to 2028 on a five-year deal worth a reported $420 million, but the team’s slide out of title contention has given rise to the stunning scenario of the Dutchman quitting prematurely. His exit from Red Bull Racing would be facilitated by a performance clause in his paperwork, the existence of which former team principal Christian Horner has admitted to.

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Earlier this month, Sky Italy reported that “concrete negotiations” between Verstappen and Mercedes had progressed to a point where they were “close” to agreeing a deal, though the Silver Arrows board was yet to make a decision.

Speculation of Verstappen’s future went into overdrive following the recent sacking of long-serving team boss Horner, with Laurent Mekies taking charge of Red Bull at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

However, speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Wolff — who had long fanned the flames of a potential switch to Mercedes for Verstappen — struck a different tune.

Nonetheless, he still notably kept the door slightly ajar to Verstappen joining.

“Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date,” Wolff said.

“The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the absolute priority.

“But you can’t look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don’t think there will be any big surprises.”

Toto Wolff before the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Wolff also hit out at fans that manufactured doctored images showing him boarding Verstappen’s private jet. Earlier this month, yachts belonging to the duo were located off the coast of Sardinia, with the Red Bull driver’s private jet also landing on the Italian island.

“What’s new is that people are doing photo collages with aeroplanes. We’ve never had that before,” Wolff said.

“But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to work together in Formula 1.

“We have always gotten along well and by chance we like to spend our holidays at the same places.”

The F1 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix. Australian driver Oscar Piastri leads teammate Lando Norris on the standings by eight points, with Verstappen behind the McLaren duo in third.