P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff clarifies Max Verstappen ‘flirting’ as Mercedes contract clause teased
Toto Wolff clarified that he and Mercedes did not purposefully pursue Max Verstappen this summer, despite rumors of the F1 champion potentially leaving Red Bull. The speculation around Verstappen’s future intensified as other drivers surpassed him on the track, prompting Mercedes to consider leveraging Red Bull’s internal challenges. However, Verstappen ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull, leading Mercedes to finalize their driver lineup for 2026 after some delay. George Russell’s contract extension with Mercedes was belatedly confirmed following concerns raised by Wolff’s supposed interest in Verstappen. Wolff acknowledged the need for stability in driver contracts and emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team moving forward. As the past pursuit of Verstappen was put to rest, Mercedes looks ahead with confidence in their current driver lineup for the future.
