Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated that the team plans to keep its current driver line-up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2027. The comments came ahead of qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix and addressed ongoing speculation about a possible move for Max Verstappen.
Wolff told Sky Sports F1 that the team sees no need for changes. "We don’t want to change things. We’ve said that also to George, I think it’s a line-up that is good for us. I’m very happy with the two of them," he said.
The remarks follow Russell’s confirmation that he will remain with Mercedes next year. Antonelli, the 19-year-old rookie, currently leads the 2026 drivers’ standings after winning five of the first seven races.
Wolff’s statements have sparked debate among fans on social media. Some supporters agree that the pairing should stay intact, while others note that the comments do not fully rule out future adjustments if circumstances change.
The speculation about Verstappen joining Mercedes arose last year due to exit clauses in his Red Bull contract, but those clauses are no longer valid and the Dutch driver has committed to Red Bull for 2026.
