Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the team's priority for the 2026 Formula One season. The revelation comes after Max Verstappen was strongly linked to Mercedes.

Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Mercedes boss Wolff has said continuing with Russell and Antonelli is the "absolute priority" for him, and has played down any "big surprises" over the summer break. "Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date," Wolff said.

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has appeared to rule out a move to sign Max Verstappen for 2026, as he reiterated his desire to retain the team’s current Formula 1 line-up. There have been widespread reports that Verstappen could be Mercedes-bound since George Russell divulged that the two parties are engaged in active discussions.

Rosberg, who worked under Wolff at Mercedes before retiring from F1, offered the Austrian some advice to drag Antonelli out of his slump. “What I would do in Toto’s case would be signing a contract with him,” the 2016 world champion said.

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But speaking with Austrian outlet ORF ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it clear that the team’s “priority” is their current driver lineup, George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli. “The direction is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That’s our top priority,” said Wolff.

Max Verstappen has denied holding any secret talks with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after fans discovered that both F1 figures were spending their breaks ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix holidaying in Sardinia.