In an interview with Sky Sports after the Austrian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff made it clear that Red Bull would retain its current driver lineup, despite speculation that Max Verstappen might leave the club. Emphasizing that Mercedes would continue with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Wolff stated, “We don’t want any changes. I told George that this lineup is the right choice for us. We are extremely happy with our drivers.”.
Antonelli is 40 points ahead of Russell in the championship.
Antonelli, who made a striking breakthrough in the 2025 season at the age of 18, solidified his position in the championship standings, leaving his teammate Russell 40 points behind. The Italian driver had previously confirmed that he would continue racing for Mercedes in the 2027 season thanks to a special clause in his contract. The young driver's consistent performance reinforces the team's confidence in him.
Despite Russell's challenging season, Wolff has his full support.
On the other hand, George Russell experienced a series of unfortunate events in the 2025 campaign and failed to achieve the expected results throughout the season. This situation raised questions about the British driver's future at Mercedes. However, Wolff stated that he personally shared his concerns about Russell's situation with the driver and clearly conveyed the message that the lineup would not change. This stance by the Mercedes Team Principal is noteworthy, considering that he has not hidden from the public his desire to bring Verstappen to the team for years. Wolff has repeatedly admitted his interest in the four-time world champion Dutch driver; however, his assessment at the Austrian GP showed that he prioritizes his current lineup preference.