Wolff not flirting with Verstappen, but THE phone call is expected

More than ever, Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull Racing is uncertain. Competitors are surely keeping a close eye on developments at the Austrian team. Maybe the Dutchman could be contracted somewhere else for 2026?

They are no fools at Mercedes. After it became clear last week (not for the first time in the last 12 months) how unsettled things are within Red Bull Racing, the Brackley-based team is well aware that at some point Jos Verstappen or Raymond Vermeulen (Verstappen's manager) will be on the line - scanning what the options are for '26 at Mercedes.

Wolff publicly behind Russell and Antonelli

Those relying purely on what Toto Wolff has said publicly would conclude that there are no options for Verstappen at Mercedes. Indeed, the team boss said at the Australian Grand Prix: "I think we've said it pretty clearly last year, and he [Verstappen] said the same. We need to concentrate on our driver line-up, we need to do the best that we can. I don't flirt outside if I'm in a good relationship, and that is true for this year, too. At the moment, that [pursuing Verstappen] is not on any radar. I don't like to shift my concentration away from these guys [Russell and Antonelli]."

Is Wolff really saying 'no' to Verstappen?

These are words that surely give confidence to Russell and Antonelli, but would Wolff really say 'no' if Verstappen indicated he would like to come to Mercedes? Having the best driver on the F1 grid in the car is what every team would want, no matter how well George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli performed in 2025. Once before, Wolff let Verstappen walk, he won't do that a second time.

If Verstappen senior and Vermeulen contact Wolff at short notice, he will most likely pick up the phone. Wolff does seem to be playing the game slightly differently this time. Whereas last season he shouted from the rooftops that he would like Verstappen to join him, now the team boss does not do it so publicly.

This is probably the right approach, to avoid internal turmoil at Mercedes. Finally, he wants to avoid Russell and Antonelli being influenced by open flirting outside the door.

This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon