P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen is staying at Red Bull next year, but Toto Wolff believes there might still be a future for him at Mercedes.
Toto Wolff believes there is still a 50 percent chance that Max Verstappen could drive for Mercedes in the future, even after talks for a 2026 seat fell through. The Mercedes team principal showed interest in poaching Verstappen due to Red Bull’s performance decline, but Verstappen chose to stay at Red Bull for another season. Wolff confirmed plans to retain both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026, but left the door open for Verstappen to join in the future if it aligns well for both parties. The 2026 F1 season promises significant changes, and Wolff hopes Mercedes’ pace will attract top talent like Verstappen, emphasizing the importance of a competitive car and team over financial matters. Wolff’s transparent approach in driver dealings received some criticism, but he remains focused on ensuring Mercedes has the best drivers for success in the evolving F1 landscape.
