Mercedes to finalise 2026 driver line-up in F1’s summer break, says Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff insists he needs the Mercedes driver line-up for 2026 sorted by the point the Formulation 1 season resumes following the summer season break.

With each George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli but to be signed for subsequent season, Mercedes might but be tempted to look elsewhere forward of the introduction of the brand new rules.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen stays a favorite of Wolff, who flirted with the thought of bringing within the Dutchman this 12 months earlier than opting to provide an opportunity to rookie Antonelli, who has impressed in flashes up to now.

Over the course of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, each Wolff and Russell spoke about Mercedes speaking to Verstappen – even when the previous stated there was “little or no likelihood” in signing the Pink Bull driver for subsequent 12 months.

Regardless of making all the suitable noises about each Russell and Antonelli, Wolff is but to completely decide to the duo for 2026.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Picture by: GSI / Icon Sport by way of Getty Photographs

Nevertheless, he stated after the race in Austria, the place Russell got here residence a distant fifth and Antonelli retired after he crashed into Verstappen on the opening lap, that he wished the state of affairs sorted between the Hungarian GP in early August and the return to motion on the Dutch GP 4 weeks later.

“You should be respectable in direction of the stakeholders in all of that course of. The organisation, the drivers, all people. You should perceive the way in which ahead,” the Mercedes crew principal stated on making a call on drivers.

Learn Additionally:

“And I do not need to be sadistic in letting a driver wait or not taking any selections when it must be taken. So I really feel we’re in area. We’re [in] June.

“Clearly there’s a number of discussions round. I have been open with it and clear. And at a sure stage within the subsequent couple of months – till the summer season break, we have to know. Till the summer season break, all the pieces goes to be carried out.”

Pushed on whether or not that meant earlier than or after the summer season break, Wolff added with a smile: “Possibly within the center.”