– According to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will also be competing for the Silver Arrows in 2027. The 54-year-old confirmed this on Sky Sport F1 before the Hungarian Grand Prix, but did not rule out future collaboration with Max Verstappen.
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“We haven’t officially said anything yet, but [the duo of Kimi and George] is […] the only logical consequence at this point,” Wolff explained on the Sky microphone. In the Drivers’ World Championship, Antonelli leads with 204 points ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, while Russell is in third position with 154 points. In the Constructors’ World Championship, Mercedes leads unchallenged with 358 points.
Nevertheless, the team boss emphasized again that the car needs to be improved in terms of stability. “Starting to change drivers now, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do.”
F1: Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest) 2026
Peter Hardenacke took the opportunity on Sky Sport F1 to ask the team boss about a possible duo of Antonelli and Verstappen. While Wolff wouldn’t be afraid of a scenario like between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, he added: “You also have to give Kimi time to develop.”
“Max is at his peak, can do everything, and the two respect each other. They are different generations, but if you have both in the same team, that is, of course, a completely different starting situation.”
Later, the team boss emphasized: “We are not afraid to perhaps have both of them in the team at some point. But today […] we are happy with how the dynamic between George and Kimi is working.”
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“We have made great progress as a team. That means: adding a variable now, I believe, is not the right thing for our long-term development.”
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In recent weeks and months, there have been recurring rumors about the future of the four-time world champion. Not only the lack of an official announcement from the Silver Arrows, but above all the dissatisfaction of the 71-time Grand Prix winner with the performance of the Red Bulls and the current rules have often fueled the rumor mill.
Furthermore, in addition to the Brackley-based racing team, McLaren was also often thrown into the ring. But Andrea Stella, team boss at the Woking-based racing team, also commented on the speculations surrounding Verstappen rather jokingly, instead of communicating actual interest for 2027.
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Although the Red Bull driver is still under contract with his current team until the end of 2028, his position in the World Championship could allow Verstappen to activate an exit clause.
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