Toto Wolff said signing Max Verstappen is no longer on Mercedes' "radar" as he prepares to enter talks to extend George Russell's contract with the team. After Lewis Hamilton announced he was leaving Mercedes to move to Ferrari in 2025,

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff ruled out renewing interest in a move for reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. And in-line with his commitment to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the future for Mercedes in F1,

Mercedes team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff has denied rumors on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix weekend that he's still seeking to sign reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen for 2026.

Max Verstappen and George Russell were involved in an awkward exchange having both got themselves up onto the podium at the Australian Grand Prix. The pair were embroiled in a heated dispute at the end of the 2024 season, after Verstappen was unhappy with Russell's behaviour having been given a penalty after qualifying for the Qatar GP.

Max Verstappen joked that he still had a ‘shockingly bad’ relationship with George Russell after he was beaten by an inspired Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After snatching pole, McLaren driver Norris successfully held off a late charge from Red Bull’s Verstappen in Melbourne to seal his fifth career victory.

Lando Norris's win ended Max Verstappen's long run at the top of the championship standings dating back to May 2022.