Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made it clear that he feels "not at all" disappointed by Max Verstappen’s decision to sign a new long‑term deal with Red Bull that now stretches to 2030. The announcement came just before the Formula 1 calendar resumed with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where Verstappen, the four‑time world champion, will be racing on his home soil. Red Bull put an end to weeks of speculation about the Dutch driver’s future by confirming the contract extension. Verstappen’s previous agreement was set to run until the end of 2028, but it contained exit clauses that would have allowed him to leave the team as early as 2027.
Rumours about a possible move to Mercedes or McLaren swirled throughout the 2026 season, especially after Lewis Hamilton announced in February 2024 that he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. Wolff publicly pursued Verstappen in the wake of Hamilton’s departure, and the Mercedes boss appeared to keep the Dutchman on his radar throughout the last campaign. Despite those earlier overtures, Wolff has repeatedly emphasized his satisfaction with the current Mercedes driver lineup – Kimi Antonelli and George Russell – who sit first and second respectively in the Drivers’ Championship after the Zandvoort race. In a Sky Sports F1 interview conducted on Saturday at the Dutch circuit, Wolff explained why Verstappen’s new contract does not bother him.
He said, "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 that naturally follows from what has happened now. Silly season is officially over, and everyone can focus on racing." When pressed about any personal disappointment regarding the length of Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, Wolff responded, "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." Wolff’s apparent cooling of interest in Verstappen seems to be linked to the remarkable form displayed by his young teammate, Antonelli. The 20‑year‑old Italian has exceeded expectations, outperforming the more seasoned Russell and building a 59‑point lead at the top of the standings.
Mercedes took a bold step by promoting Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement while he was still a teenager, a move that many observers initially questioned given the rookie’s inconsistent debut season. However, Antonelli’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of spectacular: he has shattered multiple records, winning five consecutive races after a runner‑up finish in the season opener. This surge in performance may have convinced Wolff that the team already possesses the talent it needs, reducing any urgency to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull. Across the grid, McLaren appears equally content with its driver roster.
The British outfit has retained reigning champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, a pairing that has propelled the team to back‑to‑back Constructors’ titles. The stability of these line‑ups suggests that the major manufacturers are focusing on consolidating their current strengths rather than engaging in a high‑profile driver poaching war. Former world champion and current Sky Sports F1 analyst Nico Rosberg weighed in on the situation, praising Verstappen’s decision to stay at Red Bull. Rosberg said, "It’s fantastic news for Formula 1 because Max is the best driver on the grid right now, and we want him to stay where he is.
He’s a phenomenal talent. He was even considering taking a break from the sport, so it’s great to see him commit for the long term." Rosberg added that Verstappen’s negotiations likely involved leveraging interest from other teams to secure a more lucrative package from Red Bull. He estimated that the Dutchman's salary now sits in the £70‑90 million per year range, roughly £80 million annually – a figure that reflects both his market value and Red Bull’s desire for stability.
In summary, Toto Wolff’s public statements make it clear that Mercedes is not grieving the loss of a potential Verstappen signing. The team’s confidence in its current drivers, combined with Antonelli’s breakout season, has shifted the focus away from recruitment and toward championship contention. As the Formula 1 calendar moves toward the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 4‑6, the narrative surrounding driver movements appears to be settling, allowing the sport’s biggest teams to concentrate on on‑track performance rather than off‑track speculation.