Source – Formula1.com
Max Verstappen recruitment efforts are now off the table, according to Toto Wolff, the Mercedes CEO, who also insisted that the team’s attention be directed toward their upcoming lineup, which includes Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Toto Wolff has firmly closed the door on the swirling rumors linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes, following Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell announcement earlier this year that he would be leaving the Silver Arrows for Ferrari in 2025. Speculation over who might take Hamilton’s seat reached fever pitch, with Verstappen’s name quickly being mentioned as a potential candidate. Despite Verstappen being tied to a long-term deal with Red Bull, lasting until 2028, Wolff openly expressed his admiration for the Dutchman, hinting that a move could have been considered.
But the chatter was swiftly silenced during the Italian Grand Prix weekend when Mercedes officially revealed that rising star Kimi Antonelli would partner George Russell for the 2025 season. With Antonelli now firmly in the mix, Wolff made it clear that the team’s attention is fully locked on their new driver pairing, squashing any further talk of Verstappen donning the Mercedes colors.
In a candid discussion at Monza, Wolff reflected on the situation with Verstappen, expressing his respect for the straightforward nature of their interactions but reaffirming Mercedes’ commitment to their internal lineup. “What I appreciated in dealing with them [Verstappen’s team] is just how straightforward it is. I don’t flirt outside,” Wolff remarked, shutting down any suggestion of ongoing discussions with the Red Bull camp.
Wolff admitted that Hamilton’s sudden decision to leave had momentarily thrown the team into uncharted territory, leading to a brief contemplation of external options. However, he was quick to clarify that no formal talks with Verstappen—or any other driver—ever materialized. His focus, Wolff emphasized, has always been on fostering success from within the team, and that meant investing their efforts into the drivers already in their ranks.
“Our full focus is now on George and Kimi,” Wolff continued. “There’s no debate, no second thoughts about what we are doing in 2026. Our eyes are on 2024 and 2025, and when the time comes for decisions beyond that, we’ll deal with them openly.” This firm stance has drawn a definitive line under the Verstappen speculation, with Wolff assuring that Mercedes is fully committed to making their new pairing work, without chasing after drivers from rival teams.
Much of the team’s energy has been directed toward ensuring that 18-year-old Antonelli is ready to make the leap to Formula 1, following a rapid rise through the junior ranks. Antonelli’s development has been carefully nurtured through the Testing of Previous Car (TPC) program, where he has already completed around 10 sessions in older Mercedes machinery. Wolff believes this intensive preparation has been essential in equipping the young Italian for the challenges ahead, allowing him to gain crucial experience before his debut season.
Wolff has emphasized the importance of providing Antonelli with all the tools needed to succeed at the highest level. Rather than loaning him out to the Williams team, a move that had been rumored earlier in the year as Logan Sargeant’s future at the team came under scrutiny, Mercedes opted to retain Antonelli within their own fold. This decision came after Williams chose to replace Sargeant with Franco Colapinto, and Wolff remained steadfast in his belief that keeping Antonelli close would yield the best results.
“The TPC testing this year was critical for Kimi’s development,” Wolff explained. “We’re going to keep that program going because when you look at how we prepared Lewis [Hamilton], it involved a lot of testing—not just for driving skill but for learning how to navigate an entire race weekend. That’s the blueprint we’ve followed with Kimi.”
Mercedes’ decision to focus on in-house preparation for Antonelli rather than sending him on loan also reflects their long-term strategy for integrating him into the team. Wolff revealed that Antonelli’s path will continue with an FP1 session later this season, followed by a post-race test in Abu Dhabi, rounding off his preparation before stepping up to Formula 1 full-time in 2025.
With Hamilton’s departure looming and Verstappen remaining firmly at Red Bull, Mercedes’ future is now fully in the hands of Russell and Antonelli. Wolff’s comments at Monza make it clear that the team is prepared to move forward without distraction, investing their energy into building the next chapter of Mercedes dominance in Formula 1. As Antonelli gears up for his debut season, the spotlight will soon shift from the speculation of the past to the bright future that lies ahead for the young Italian and the Silver Arrows.
