Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made it clear that he feels "not at all" let down by Max Verstappen’s decision to sign a fresh deal with Red Bull that will keep the Dutch driver at the Dutch‑based outfit until 2030. The announcement came just before the Formula 1 calendar resumed with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where Verstappen will defend his home race.
Red Bull put an end to weeks of speculation about the four‑time world champion’s future by confirming the long‑term extension, which supersedes his previous agreement that was set to run through 2028. Under the terms of that earlier contract, exit clauses would have allowed the 28‑year‑old to leave the team as early as 2027, and rumours about potential moves to Mercedes or McLaren had been swirling ever since.
Wolff’s pursuit of Verstappen became highly public after Lewis Hamilton announced in February 2024 that he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari starting in 2025. The Mercedes boss hinted that he still had an interest in the Dutch star during the previous season, and the prospect of signing Verstappen was seen as a possible solution to the looming driver‑line‑up vacuum that Hamilton’s departure would create.
However, in recent months Wolff has repeatedly stressed his confidence in the current Mercedes pairing of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. After the Zandvoort race, the two drivers sit first and second in the Drivers’ Championship, a position that has reinforced Wolff’s belief that his team is on the right track. When Sky Sports F1 asked Wolff about Verstappen’s new contract during a post‑race interview in Zandvoort, he responded: "The most important thing was that we have had clarity within the team for a long time.
We are committed to George and Kimi, and the decision we made now is simply a logical continuation of that commitment. Silly season is officially over, and everyone can now focus on racing." When pressed on whether the length of Verstappen’s deal – a ten‑year stretch – caused any disappointment, Wolff replied unequivocally: "No, not at all. We know each other well. With Kimi and George we have the perfect set‑up and the perfect line‑up, so there is no disappointment." The cooling of Wolff’s interest in luring Verstappen to Mercedes appears to be linked to the spectacular form shown by Antonelli, who has taken the championship by storm.
The 20‑year‑old Italian, who celebrated his birthday just last Tuesday, has outperformed the more seasoned Russell, building a 59‑point lead at the top of the standings. Mercedes took a bold step by promoting Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement while still a teenager, a move that many pundits thought was risky given his relative inexperience. Early in his rookie season his results were inconsistent, prompting doubts about whether he could meet the high expectations placed upon him.
Nevertheless, Antonelli’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. He shattered multiple records, winning five consecutive races after finishing runner‑up in the season opener, and his dominance has forced Wolff to reconsider whether acquiring Verstappen is still a strategic necessity. The young driver’s rapid rise has provided Mercedes with a clear, home‑grown talent who can deliver points on a regular basis, reducing the urgency to chase a star from a rival team. Across the paddock, McLaren also appears satisfied with its current driver roster.
The team’s lineup of reigning champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has propelled the Woking outfit to back‑to‑back Constructors’ titles, suggesting that there is little incentive for McLaren to make major changes. This stability across the top teams further diminishes the pressure on Mercedes to make a high‑profile signing.
Former Mercedes driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Nico Rosberg weighed in on the news, describing Verstappen’s contract extension as "fantastic news for Formula 1". Rosberg praised the Dutchman as the sport’s best driver at the moment and highlighted that Verstappen had previously considered taking a break from the sport.
He added that Verstappen’s talks with McLaren were likely a negotiating tactic to strengthen his position at Red Bull, which ultimately offered him a substantial raise – estimates range from £70 million to £90 million per year, with a midpoint of roughly £80 million being cited. Looking ahead, the F1 calendar will move to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix from September 4‑6, where Ferrari will host its home race. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with the flexibility to cancel at any time.
The upcoming races will test whether Mercedes can maintain its momentum with Antonelli and Russell, while Red Bull will aim to keep Verstappen satisfied and focused on defending his titles. In the meantime, Wolff’s public statements make it clear that his team is content with its current driver configuration and that any disappointment over Verstappen’s long‑term commitment to a rival has been firmly set aside.