P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff faces grilling about Mercedes’ interest in signing Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff has faced questions about Mercedes’ rumored interest in signing Max Verstappen for the 2026 F1 season. The delay in extending George Russell’s contract has fueled speculation about Mercedes considering Verstappen despite Russell’s strong performance. Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but potential break clauses could allow him to leave early. Both Russell and Verstappen have addressed the situation, with Russell suggesting Mercedes’ pursuit of Verstappen is causing the contract delay. Wolff emphasized Russell’s long tenure with Mercedes and praised his performance, indicating he is a priority for the team. When asked about talks with Verstappen, Wolff remained secretive and stressed transparency within the Mercedes team.
