Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been chasing Max Verstappen since before he became a Formula 1 driver.

Max Verstappen was a standout performer throughout his junior career, and it was no surprise that the likes of Toto Wolff were desperate to sign him.

However, while Wolff was trying to place the Dutchman in Mercedes’ junior program, Red Bull were able to offer him an immediate route onto the F1 grid through Toro Rosso.

The rest is history, with Verstappen now a four-time drivers’ champion thanks to Red Bull, but that could soon all change.

Mercedes are trying to tempt Verstappen away from Red Bull, and while neither party is willing to confirm how talks are progressing, it speaks volumes that both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have yet to sign new deals.

It’s been suggested that if the Silver Arrows do get their man, Russell would be the driver that Mercedes release.

However, journalist Nate Saunders believes Wolff might be looking for an agreement that keeps both of his current drivers at Mercedes for 2026, and potentially beyond.

Photo by Stefano Facchin/Alessio Morgese /NurPhoto via Getty Images

Toto Wolff wants Max Verstappen agreement to protect ‘Mercedes’s future’

Saunders was speaking on the Unlapped Podcast about Verstappen’s future and suggested: He’s trying to do two things, isn’t he, Toto?

“He’s trying to distance himself from the idea that he can sign Max; he keeps saying it’s not that likely.

“But, at the same time, he’s like, well, if there is an option, you want to be there.

“And I think tellingly with that discussion, what he said at the weekend was, it might not even be a next year thing.

“I think he’s also open to the idea of in 2028, Max might go all the way to 2028 with Red Bull, but I want to know that I’ve got Max Verstappen for 2029, even if it’s, even if it’s now.

“I wouldn’t put it past someone like Toto Wolff, very pragmatic, but very always thinking about what’s best for Mercedes’s future to be like, right, we’re going to have an agreement with Max that, as it stands, he’s racing for us when, whenever he finishes with Red Bull.

“You can imagine that kind of wording in a Formula 1 deal, can’t you?

“Whenever you decide to leave Red Bull, whether it’s 2028 or whether it’s earlier, you’re coming to race for Mercedes.

“So, you could see that happening. But it does feel like it’s got to be Russell just based on how well he’s done.”

Toto Wolff making alternative Kimi Antonelli plans for the 2026 Formula 1 season

Lining up Verstappen at some point in his career may be a sensible move, but if Mercedes are going to pay the likely extortionate fee that the Dutchman would demand, they are going to want to be able to use him as soon as possible.

There’s also no guarantee that if Verstappen agrees a deal to join Mercedes in 2025, they’ll be the dominant force in 2028 or 2029 when he eventually leaves Red Bull.

Although Russell appears to be the likelier of the two Mercedes drivers to move on should Verstappen agree to the switch, Antonelli might be the more sensible driver to find an alternative seat for if Wolff wants immediate success next year.

It’s been suggested that Antonelli could join Alpine on loan, with the Anglo-French team set to become a Mercedes customer in 2026.

Not only that, but Flavio Briatore is considering replacing Franco Colapinto, and a temporary solution for the rest of the year before Antonelli’s introduction would be very sensible.