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.

Saying he does not ‘flirt outside if I am in a good relationship’, Wolff says he will focus on his drivers George Russell, Kimi Antonelli.

Toto Wolff says 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,

Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025.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.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton racing a Ferrari for the first time. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen arriving without a lot of mileage in his Red Bull. Lando Norris helping McLaren set a benchmark with his pace in testing.

Lewis Hamilton has provided his thoughts on how he has adapted to driving the Ferrari SF-25 after his first two practice sessions with the team at the Australian Grand Prix