Mercedes admits that he and Max Verstappen. Next year he could replace one of the riders, but according to Tota Wolff it is a more likely option that the equestrian line -up will not change.
Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull by 2028, but since last year it has been associated with other teams – first it was Mercedes, then Aston Martin, and now it will probably be Mercedes again. Reflections on the transfer reinforce the expected changes of the rules.
None of the riders has anything at Mercedes yet. Antonelli must confirm the team and Russell at the end of the year ends the contract.
On Thursday, George Russell indicated in an interview with Sky Sports that the contract was not extended, “because Mercedes is still trying to sign with Verstappen.”
Of course, this Wolff was asked on Friday. He spoke about it at an official press conference in an interview for Sky Sports.
“I like what George is saying and always supporting my rider. There is nothing I don’t want to say,” Wolff said at a press conference on the question of Ian Pares of Racing News 365, whether he liked Russell’s comments.
“We are very transparent in the team about what we do and what we are planning, and this is how it works since I took over the lead.”
“At the moment, of course, it is necessary to examine what will happen in the future, but that does not change what I have already said of Georg, Kimim and the Equestrian lineup, with which I am extremely satisfied with.”
“It sounds like we ask, ‘When do you want to join us and under what conditions?’ But that’s not how it doesn’t work.
“We have two riders who have been in our program for a long time, and I’m absolutely happy with them. They are riders who will be great for the team in the future, so it’s a little different situation.”
If Verstappen came to the team, one of the riders would have to get out. So there is a theoretically 50 % possibility that Russell and Verstappen would go side by side. The relationships between them are not ideal.
They both met in Canada for the last time. Their relationship, however, was most sharpened last year in Qatar, where they both had to in front of the sports commissioners. Verstappen blocked Russell in qualifying. Verstappen was very angry with the approach of Russell. They both exchanged opinions on the other via the media.
“I can imagine every line -up. I had Rosberg and Hamilton who fought for the world champion title, so everything else is easy. To have two riders who fight hard together have their pros and cons.
For Sky Sports, Wolff gave more details. “What we are trying to do in the team is to be as transparent as possible. You can choose to keep things under the lid or do what I have in the last 12 years – you just say it to the fullest that it is so and so.”
“These riders are smart people. They talk together and I’m always open about these things and say things as they are. There is nothing like ‘signing Max’. That’s so far that it’s not realistic. We talk to everything about everything.”
It is natural that, as the head of the best car manufacturer in the world, you are interested in what a four -time world champion will do in the future …
Wolff refused to sign the contract with Russell. “There is no delay in negotiations on George’s Treaty, because it has been absolutely clear for a long time we have a time plan. We have known each other for a long time, so there can be no delay.”
“It is natural that, as the head of the best car manufacturer in the world, you are interested in what a four -time world champion will do in the future – and the future can be far away. But that does not affect the signing of the contract with George.”
