Mercedes boss confirms pursuit of Max Verstappen

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed his interest in signing four-time defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen on Friday.

On Thursday, Mercedes driver George Russell told reporters that his contract renewal talks were being delayed due to the team's pursuit of Red Bull's Verstappen.

In response, Wolff said his interest in Verstappen has nothing to do with finishing a new deal for Russell, 27, whose contract expires at the end of the year.

"First of all, there is no delay in George's contract situation because it's pretty clear since a long time what our timings were," Wolff told Sky Sports. "We've known each other for such a long time so there is no such thing as a delay.

"But also as a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you're exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future, and that could be a long time in the future. But that has no effect on us putting a signature on George's contract."

Wolff said he has been transparent with Russell about Mercedes' interest in Verstappen.

"I'm always open about these things, and I'm saying it how it is and there's no such thing as saying, 'We are going to sign Max,' because it's so far away that it's not realistic at that stage," he told Sky Sports. "With George, we talk about everything."

Verstappen, meanwhile, is under contract at Red Bull through 2028.

When asked about the speculation and what team he expects to be driving for in 2026, Verstappen did not give a direct answer to reporters Thursday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

"It's not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year," the 27-year-old Dutch driver said.

--Field Level Media