Scroll down to see Toto Wolff’s bombshell interview

MERCEDES are ramping up their pursuit to sign Max Verstappen to form a dream team with George Russell. 

Toto Wolff confirmed today that there had been behind closed doors talks with the four-time world champion and that Mercedes were “exploring” their future plans.

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed that Mercedes have spoken with Max Verstappen about swapping teamsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

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Wolff did not rule out the possibility of Russell and Verstappen becoming teammates at MercedesCredit: Getty
Russell, who is out of contract next year, also said that his team have been talking to Verstappen about signing a deal for 2026.

The Brit, 27, also suggested on Thursday that his contract talks with Wolff had been delayed by the ongoing talks with Verstappen.

Wolff said: “There is no delay in George’s contract negotiations because it’s pretty clear, since a long time, what our timings were and are.

“We have known each other for such a long time, so there is no such thing as a delay.

“As team principal of the best car brand in the world, it’s clear you explore what a four-time world champion will do in the future,

“That could be long into the future. That has no effect on us putting a signature on George’s contract.”

Four-time world champion Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 which is said to have a break clause which could be triggered to prompt an exit.

When asked who would be axed from Mercedes between Russell and Kimi Antonelli to make way for Verstappen, Wolff said: “You make it sound like we have been asking ‘when do you want to join and what are the terms?’

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Wolff has confirmed his interest in signing four-time world champ VerstappenCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

“That’s not how it is and how it works. And I come back to my previous question.

“I want to just have the conversations behind closed doors not in town halls. And we have two drivers that have been in our programme since a long time.

“Drivers that I’m perfectly happy to have. Drivers that will do great in the future of the team. So it’s a bit of a different situation.”

Wolff suggested that Russell had been weighing up his options outside of Mercedes as well.

The legendary Austrian boss added: “We are going into territory that I don’t want to discuss out here, but people talk, people explore.

“The most important thing is that in our organisation, we are transparent. But it doesn’t change a millimetre of my opinion of George, his abilities or anything else.

“I like what George says and I’m always supportive of the driver. There is no such thing as saying things I wouldn’t want him to say.

“We are very transparent in the team of what we do, what we plan.

“We’ve been like that since I was being put in charge of that. So that’s not the issue. At the moment clearly, you need to explore what’s happening in the future.”

Eyebrows have been raised over whether Verstappen and Russell could fit in a team together with the duo having a history of bad blood.

The most recent incident involved Verstappen ramming into the British driver at the Spanish Grand Prix three-weeks ago.

When asked if the pair could drive together at Mercedes, Wolff added: “I can imagine every line-up.

“Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything else afterwards is easy.

“There’s pros and cons of having two drivers fighting each other hard. We’ve seen examples where that functioned and other examples where it didn’t.

“When it comes to the contract situation, you know, our sport is pressure, constant pressure, whether you’re in the car, outside of the car, you just need to cope with that.

“George knows that, like any other driver.”

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Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty and three penalty points for “undoubtedly” causing his collision with George Russell in BarcelonaEarlier this year Wolff said zero negotiations had been held with Verstappen and that they were not “flirting” with the prospect of signing him.

He said: “There is no flirt (with Verstappen) in that sense. You can flirt or you have conversations.

“It is in the nature of the sport that you talk about people, whether they’re in the car or in the factory or in the racetrack.

“Most important thing is to stay true to your values. And for me, that is being integral and humble about the situation, respectful of the people.

“That’s what we are trying to do in the team. I’ve been in situations like this before. Some of the conversations are more difficult than others.”

Russell himself made it clear he was aware of Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen, hinting that it could be delaying his contract renewal due at the end of the season.

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Russell won the Canadian Grand Prix last time out, with team-mate Kimi Antontelli grabbing his first podium aged 18Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Brit, who won the Canadian Grand Prix last time out, told Sky: “It’s only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing.

“But from my side, if I’m performing as I’m doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team.

Toto has made it clear to me that how I’m performing is as good as anybody.

“There is only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance. These are his words and not my words, and that is why I have no concern about my future.

“But there are two seats to every team and I guess he needs to think who are those two drivers.”