Toto Wolff has sought to ease growing speculation regarding the 2026 driver lineup at Mercedes, with neither George Russell nor rookie Kimi Antonelli officially signed for the next season. Speaking after the Baku Grand Prix, where Russell secured second place despite illness, Wolff reassured that contract decisions are forthcoming and must be finalized before testing begins.
Wolff Addresses Drivers’ Recent Performances and Contract Timing
Following Russell’s resilient podium finish behind Max Verstappen, Wolff praised his determination while also addressing Antonelli’s recent form. Though the 19-year-old finished fourth in Baku, Wolff emphasized that Antonelli, who had been criticised for his performance at Monza, showed improvement.
“Kimi consolidated well. He’s not happy not to be on the podium, but it was important points for the team,”
Wolff said.
Reflecting on his earlier comments, Wolff admitted he had been “honest” when calling Antonelli’s Monza outing “disappointing,” but welcomed the rebound, adding,
“That’s why this rebound here is satisfactory. It’s part of the fact that he’s only 19. You have to take him aside and tell him what you expect from him.”
Regarding timeline concerns, Wolff noted with a smile,
“It’s all coming. It has to be before the tests, otherwise we’ll have to put someone else in the car.”
Mercedes’ Development Plans and Mid-Season Performance Reflections
Wolff also confirmed that the 2025 Mercedes car will not receive further upgrades, explaining that the focus has fully shifted to next year’s model.
“We’re continuing to work on next year’s car,”
he said, adding,
“I wouldn’t say we’re in a bad situation. A racing team can always find new ways to extract performance, even without updates.”
The season itself, Wolff noted, has been unpredictable, with fluctuating performances from rival teams.
“Crazy, right? If George had started a little further up, we would have been fighting for the win. Then there was no performance from McLaren and Ferrari. It’s strange how things go up and down throughout the year.”
On Verstappen’s revived title challenge, Wolff commented candidly: “Longshot, but yes, why not?”
Complications Surrounding Russell’s Contract Talks
Conversations regarding Russell’s contract are reportedly complex not only due to financial terms but also workload concerns, with the driver seeking fewer sponsor and media commitments, especially if offered a one-year extension. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc provided context for such demands, explaining the impact of additional obligations on driver performance.
“It’s a discussion in the contract, but negotiation is common sense,”
Leclerc told RTBF.
“We don’t do it because we don’t want to, but because it can affect performance. Very often we’re tired when we get back in the car. The most important thing is that the driver is in the best possible shape when he goes on track.” Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver
This perspective highlights the delicate balance teams and drivers must manage between commercial duties and maintaining peak physical and mental condition during a demanding season.
Looking Ahead: Contract Finalizations and Team Strategy
As the 2023 season advances, the pressure mounts on Mercedes to secure agreements with both their experienced and emerging talents. Wolff’s insistence on resolving contracts before testing signals the team’s urgency to prepare for 2026 with clarity. The ongoing negotiations around workload and commitments also underline the evolving nature of Formula 1 contracts, reflecting drivers’ growing influence in managing their performance conditions.
With critical decisions imminent, Mercedes must balance driver management, technical development, and competitive consistency to remain a front-runner in the championship battle.
