Mercedes still haven’t confirmed their driver line-up for 2026, with more than a third of the current season gone. Toto Wolff has been cautiously assessing options elsewhere in the driver market.
George Russell is out of contract at the end of the season. The three-time Grand Prix winner has impressed this season, finishing in the top five in almost every competitive session.
It’s also believed that 2025 rookie Kimi Antonelli has only signed a one-year deal at Brackley. Antonelli became F1’s youngest-ever pole-sitter for the Miami Sprint but has since suffered two Q2 exits.
The main threat to both drivers has been world champion Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s Red Bull deal includes an exit clause based on his position in the standings.
Mercedes have also been linked with Sergio Perez, who’s currently out of F1 after his ignominious Red Bull departure.
Valtteri Bottas expects Mercedes to retain drivers despite Max Verstappen links
During an appearance on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, reserve driver Valtteri Bottas was asked whether there might be an opening at Brackley for 2026. Bottas has won 10 Grands Prix, all of them in Mercedes colours between 2017 and 2021.
And it was during his answer that he seemingly let slip that Mercedes will retain their line-up for next year. Toto Wolff is satisfied with both of his drivers.
Bottas has been strongly linked with Cadillac as he pursues alternative routes back onto the grid. In the meantime, Mercedes can benefit from his vast experience.
“Realistically, I think Mercedes as a team, and Toto, they are quite content with their pairing at the moment,” he said.
“Kimi is making progress. Yes, he had a couple of difficult moments recently, but that’s part of the learning curve. I think he’s more their long-term investment.
“George has been doing a great job, consistent, getting the most out of the car. So I wouldn’t actually see a reason for a change over there even if I was the team manager.”
What Toto Wolff really thinks of Max Verstappen after George Russell clash in Spain
Verstappen tested his relationship with Wolff and Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend. He and Russell made contact after an instruction from Red Bull to return the position late in the race.
The Dutchman received a 10-second penalty and three points on his superlicence for the incident. Some F1 fans thought Verstappen got off lightly.
However, a report from sport.de claims that Wolff will still do ‘everything in his power’ to sign Verstappen. He’s willing to look past his occasional recklessness due to his historic speed.
Significantly, Russell has held informal talks with Christian Horner over a potential Red Bull move. That raised the prospect of a driver swap, but Bottas sees it as unlikely.
