Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff claimed Max Verstappen is “not on any radar” as George Russell enters a contract year.
Amid Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 bombshell that last season would be his final campaign with Mercedes, Wolff was in search of a replacement.
The Austrian eventually settled on teenage development driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Russell assuming team leadership status.
However, Wolff didn’t hesitate when it came to flirting with the idea of luring Verstappen away from Red Bull, a pursuit he eventually abandoned in 2024.
With Russell on an expiring contract in 2025, could there be pressure on the Briton to perform to such a level that interest in Verstappen isn’t warranted?
“We need to concentrate on our driver line-up,” Wolff said ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
“I don’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship.
“So at the moment that [approaching Verstappen] is not on any radar.”
Those comments appear to put to bed any speculation Wolff is targeting Verstappen and is instead focusing on a future with Russell and Antonelli.
“I don’t plan to shift my concentration away from these guys and make sure that George has some visibility very soon, or has a contract very soon,” he said.
“[We will] find some time I guess before the summer, but we do that in a timely manner without disrupting the season”.
Russell focused on team performance, not Mercedes contract
Russell arrives at the start of the 2025 campaign having put together one of his strongest seasons last year.
Were it not for a technical disqualification, Russell would have picked up three GP wins last term and his triumph in Las Vegas was a comprehensive beating of the competition amid a faultless weekend.
Moreover, Russell heavily out-qualified former team-mate Hamilton to further back up his credentials that he can lead Mercedes forward.
And after several years of the team performing below its lofty expectations, Russell’s focus right now is on returning Mercedes to the top of F1, rather than securing his contract for the foreseeable future.
“We have had such a long-term relationship and so much trust between one another and we are focused on getting Mercedes back on top and trying to win races and championships,” Russell said of Wolff.
“Performance speaks, so from my side there is no pressure.
“I have no doubts about myself and everything falls into place when the timing is right.
“We have bigger fish to fry right now, which is getting us back on top.”
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