Mercedes team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff has denied rumors on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix weekend that he’s still seeking to sign reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen for 2026.

Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025. In the drizzly conditions in Bahrain, Lawson said he was fighting “a few teething gremlins” with his car as he sought to adjust to life alongside Verstappen.

Saying he does not ‘flirt outside if I am in a good relationship’, Wolff says he will focus on his drivers George Russell, Kimi Antonelli.

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says a pitch to sign Max Verstappen for 2026 is "not on any radar". George Russell's Mercedes contract runs out at the end of this season and Wo

Mercedes CEO and team principal Wolff also reveals Max Verstappen is not on the Brackley squad's radar - for now

Toto Wolff has issued an update regarding his Mercedes team's pursuit of Red Bull F1 star Max Verstappen. Four-time world champion Verstappen was linked with a move to Mercedes throughout 2024, following Lewis Hamilton's decision to ditch the team and instead join Ferrari.