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Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025.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

Formula 1 defending champion Max Verstappen downplayed Red Bull's chances at Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, saying the car is slower than their rivals and still working through some issues.

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 Wo

Max Verstappen has started his 2025 Formula One season by brandishing an FIA rule as 'silly' ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. ➡️ READ MORE Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner has gathered many of the team's key figures for an important meeting ahead of the new season.