(Field Level Media) 鈥 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed his interest in signing four-time defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen on Friday.
On Thursday, Mercedes driver George Russell told reporters that his contract renewal talks were being delayed due to the team鈥檚 pursuit of Red Bull鈥檚 Verstappen.
In response, Wolff said his interest in Verstappen has nothing to do with finishing a new deal for Russell, 27, whose contract expires at the end of the year.
鈥淔irst of all, there is no delay in George鈥檚 contract situation because it鈥檚 pretty clear since a long time what our timings were,鈥 Wolff told Sky Sports. 鈥淲e鈥檝e known each other for such a long time so there is no such thing as a delay.
鈥淏ut also as a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you鈥檙e exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future, and that could be a long time in the future. But that has no effect on us putting a signature on George鈥檚 contract.鈥
Wolff said he has been transparent with Russell about Mercedes鈥 interest in Verstappen.
鈥淚鈥檓 always open about these things, and I鈥檓 saying it how it is and there鈥檚 no such thing as saying, 鈥榃e are going to sign Max,鈥 because it鈥檚 so far away that it鈥檚 not realistic at that stage,鈥 he told Sky Sports. 鈥淲ith George, we talk about everything.鈥
Verstappen, meanwhile, is under contract at Red Bull through 2028.
When asked about the speculation and what team he expects to be driving for in 2026, Verstappen did not give a direct answer to reporters Thursday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year,鈥 the 27-year-old Dutch driver said.