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.

Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025. In the drizzly conditions in Bahrain, Lawson said he was fighting “a few teething gremlins” with his car as he sought to adjust to life alongside Verstappen.

Toto Wolff has issued an update regarding his Mercedes team's pursuit of Red Bull F1 star Max Verstappen. Four-time world champion Verstappen was linked with a move to Mercedes throughout 2024, following Lewis Hamilton's decision to ditch the team and instead join Ferrari.

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Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has halted final practice for Sunday's Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix just four minutes into the session, with the British driver bringing out the red flags after he lost control of his car and buried it in the gravel on turn 11 on the Albert Park circuit.