P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff has the final say over whether Max Verstappen will join Mercedes in 2026
Toto Wolff has expressed his preference for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to drive for Mercedes next year over Max Verstappen. Discussions have been ongoing regarding the 2026 Mercedes driver lineup, with the team principal emphasizing their desire to continue with Russell and Antonelli as a top priority. While Verstappen’s future plans were considered, Wolff believes the team will stick with their current duo. Despite speculation surrounding Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes, he appears likely to remain with Red Bull in 2026 due to contractual obligations and a competitive gap between Red Bull and McLaren. The F1 2026 season introduces new regulations, setting the stage for exciting developments in the competition and potential changes in driver lineups.
