Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes team in Formula 1, has confirmed that the team will maintain its driver lineup for the 2027 season, thereby dismissing rumors of a possible addition of Max Verstappen.
In recent months, the possibility of Verstappen, a four-time world champion, joining Mercedes has been a recurring topic, especially due to the exit clauses he had in his contract with Red Bull, which expires in 2028. However, Wolff has made it clear that George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will remain as the team’s drivers.
At the opening of the 2026 season with the new regulations, Antonelli has topped the standings, placing first, while Russell is in third position. Wolff stated that there are no reasons for changes in the team, emphasizing that he is satisfied with the performance of his current drivers.
The statements were made during the Austrian Grand Prix, shortly after Russell confirmed that he will compete with Mercedes in 2027, after a year of pressure on his position within the team. Although the British driver has faced strong competition from Antonelli, Wolff trusts in his ability to recover and fight for titles.
Both drivers have demonstrated a high level of competition this season, with Antonelli winning five of the seven races held. Additionally, Wolff highlighted the importance of staying in the confidence zone for the good performance of his drivers, assuring that Russell has all the potential to showcase his skills in the immediate future.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
