Verstappen off Mercedes radar, Wolff says
NXTbets Pro | Published On: June 29, 2026
Russell future settled
George Russell has put his Mercedes future in firm terms, saying he is “100 percent” certain he will be racing for the team in 2027. He said there has been no real discussion with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff about his next contract, and he added that there is “not even a question mark” over his place in the lineup. Russell also said there will be no announcement this weekend, which matches the sense around the team that no immediate change is coming. His comments give Mercedes a clear answer on one side of the driver market and cut against the outside noise that has surrounded the team in recent weeks.
Russell’s stance matters because the conversation around Mercedes has been shaped by bigger speculation about who could sit alongside, or replace, the team’s current drivers in the future. Russell has been central to that discussion because he sits in a top-seat at a team with title ambitions and a strong run of form this season. He also pushed back on any suggestion that his position needs sorting out. From his view, the situation is straightforward. He expects to stay, he sees no pressure point in the talks, and he does not expect a public update in the short term. That leaves Mercedes with a driver who sounds settled and confident about where he stands.
Verstappen speculation
The other half of the Mercedes conversation centers on Max Verstappen, and Wolff moved to cool that talk. He said Verstappen is not currently a Mercedes target and described him as “off the radar” for now. That is a direct response to the speculation that has followed Verstappen, whose next move has drawn constant attention because of uncertainty around his future with Red Bull and in Formula 1 more broadly. Outside reports have linked him with possible secret talks with McLaren about a 2027 move, and his name has also come up in Mercedes rumors. The chatter has gathered pace as fans and rival teams watch for signs of a shift in the driver market.
The speculation around Verstappen has had a ripple effect on Mercedes because any move involving a multiple-time front-runner would reshape the top end of the grid. Russell’s earlier comments about talks involving Wolff and Verstappen only added fuel to the discussion about a possible Mercedes driver change. Wolff, though, made clear that Verstappen is not on his active list at the moment. His message was simple. Mercedes is not chasing a new headline name right now, and Verstappen is not part of the immediate plan. That does not erase the wider rumor mill, but it does put the team’s current position on the record.
Mercedes lineup
Wolff’s strongest message was about stability. He said Mercedes plans to keep its current driver lineup for 2027, with Russell staying and Kimi Antonelli remaining in the other seat. He said he is very happy with both drivers and sees no reason to change a pairing he believes is working well for the team. That view fits the shape of Mercedes’ season. The team’s strong form has put it in position to lead the constructors’ championship, which gives Wolff even less incentive to reshuffle the lineup. In a market that often feeds on uncertainty, Mercedes is choosing continuity. Wolff’s public backing of Russell and Antonelli points to a team that thinks its current structure already matches its long-term goals.
Wolff also defended Russell’s season, saying the driver has dealt with poor luck and limited results without needing to prove his speed. That matters because it frames Russell’s year as one of disrupted output rather than doubts about performance. It also helps explain why Mercedes is comfortable keeping faith in him. Wolff’s comments tie the whole picture together. Russell says he is staying. Wolff says the team wants to keep both drivers. Verstappen, for now, is not part of the plan. The result is a clear message from Mercedes, one that favors continuity over change and leaves the speculation outside the garage for the time being.
