Mercedes team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff has denied rumors on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix weekend that he’s still seeking to sign reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen for 2026.

Toto Wolff said signing Max Verstappen is no longer on Mercedes' "radar" as he prepares to enter talks to extend George Russell's contract with the team. After Lewis Hamilton announced he was leaving Mercedes to move to Ferrari in 2025,

Live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says a pitch to sign Max Verstappen for 2026 is "not on any radar". George Russell's Mercedes contract runs out at the end of this season and Wolff had talks with Verstappen last year before opting for Italian 18-year-old rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton,

Max Verstappen was targeted by Toto Wolff last year in the months after Lewis Hamilton announced he was quitting Mercedes for Ferrari, before settling for teenager Kimi Antonelli

Toto Wolff claimed he made a promise to Lewis Hamilton to not approach Max Verstappen for a move to Mercedes while the British driver was still at the team, in the latest season of Drive to Survive.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said thoughts of pursuing four-time world champion Max Verstappen is no longer on his radar and that talks to extend George Russell's contract will take place most likely in the summer.

Toto Wolff has put an end to the speculation surrounding a potential move for Max Verstappen to Mercedes. The team boss has stated that he is satisfied with his current driver lineup, consisting of George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli,