Toto Wolff admits his Max Verstappen ‘mistake’ that was ‘destabilising’ for George Russell

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Mercedes have given George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli new contracts for at least 2026, but only after boss Toto Wolff failed to sign Red Bull ace Max Verstappen.

The Silver Arrows announced ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at COTA that Russell and Antonelli have signed new contracts to end speculation over their driver line-up. It is believed that Russell agreed to a new multi-year Mercedes contract worth £30m a year.

Mercedes were widely expected to re-sign both Russell and Antonelli once it became clear that Verstappen could not leave Red Bull. But the Brackley natives bided their time, despite the Briton and Italian being out of contract after the 2025 F1 season without new contracts.

Verstappen had to be outside the top three in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break to use a release clause in his Red Bull contract to 2028. But Verstappen could leave Red Bull after 2026 as he only needs to hit the summer outside the top two to use his release clause.

Toto Wolff admits publicly pursuing Max Verstappen was ‘destabilising’ for George Russell

Wolff did not hide his interest in Mercedes signing Verstappen for 2026 when the four-time reigning drivers’ champion triggering his Red Bull release clause was still a possibility. Wolff confirmed Mercedes spoke with Verstappen about a move, as well, before the door closed.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

But now that Russell and Antonelli’s new Mercedes contracts are in the bag for 2026, Wolff also admits that he made a “mistake” publicly pursuing Verstappen. The Silver Arrows team principal and CEO concedes that his approach was “destabilising” for Russell and their team.

Wolff told Sky Sports F1 (17/10, 19:44): “The truth is, you’ve got to learn from the mistake. I think there wasn’t any on-purpose flirting, it was just a coincidence.

“It was clear that you had to have that conversation, and we ended up in the same place in the summer, which obviously didn’t look good and is destabilising for everyone. I think that is in the past now, everything is clear, and we move forward.”

Toto Wolff shares his view on Max Verstappen joining George Russell at Mercedes in 2027

But while Wolff’s failed public pursuit of Verstappen for 2026 may be in the past, Mercedes continue to be linked with a move to sign the 28-year-old for 2027. The Dutchman’s release clause could see him enter the F1 driver market if Red Bull flop under F1’s 2026 regulations.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Russell’s new Mercedes contract may only be a 1+1-year deal, with the Briton and the team holding options for 2027. Also, while Antonelli has a new long-term Mercedes arrangement, the Italian’s long-term future is still unclear to a degree, as he was only announced for 2026.

Wolff has also confirmed that there are “certain clauses” in Russell and Antonelli’s contracts with Mercedes for 2026. But when pushed on whether Mercedes could sign Verstappen to partner Russell in 2027, Wolff made it clear that they wish to keep the Briton and Antonelli.

“It would certainly be good entertainment for everyone,” Wolff said. “But we don’t want to create any rumours. Kimi and George [as a line-up] is what we want to do in the future and going forward. It’s a good line-up.”