Toto Wolff shares a significant update on Mercedes' pursuit of Max Verstappen

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has shared that the pursuit of Max Verstappen has been called off for the time being. The Dutch driver's father Jos was seen talking to Wolff in Bahrain earlier this year and since then, rumors have surfaced that Verstappen could think of a move to Mercedes.

Beginning with Red Bull's internal turbulence after team boss Christian Horner became embroiled in an internal investigation against him for inappropriate behavior, Verstappen's father did not seem to have the best relations with Horner. Rumors of Verstappen's switch in 2025 ended when Kimi Antonelli was announced as the outgoing Lewis Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes for next season, but those about 2026 persist.

Wolff, however, dispelled the speculation, saying he was calling off the pursuit and wanted to concentrate on his current crop of drivers. Talking to Motorsport, he said:

“I think I've expressed it before, and we have a similar view also from Max Verstappen's side: you've got to put faith in your drivers or in your team. You need to give it the maximum support you can to make it a success. And only if things go really wrong, you will consider other opportunities.

For me, it's like flirting outside while you're making your relationship work. It doesn't work, I'm not flirting outside. Only if I want to have a change, or consider a change, I would seek a conversation. And it is the same on his side. We're pretty aligned in our values on that I think.”

With Max Verstappen now out of the picture for Mercedes, Wolff was questioned on where George Russell stands within the team.

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With Max Verstappen out of the picture, Mercedes' Toto Wolff backs George Russell

Reports of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff courting another world champion while George Russel continues to perform against Lewis Hamilton had sidelined the young driver to an extent, and there were questions about his future as well.

Wolff assured Motorsport that nothing changes when it comes to Russell. He would continue to be an integral part of the team and get the same treatment that he's had in the past.

“George has a similar trajectory in terms of karting and junior formula, and George was the first Mercedes junior that joined us. He's still our Mercedes driver. We don't make a big difference [between him and Antonelli]. Emotionally, we give them the same support. Nothing changes," Wolff said.

While Mercedes' Max Verstappen pursuit seems to have been put on hold, it can be the conversation going into 2025 with Jos Verstappen-Christian Horner relations strained.