Formula 1 News: Marko slams Russell for latest Verstappen rumors

(GMM) It is “respect” for Mercedes that has caused Toto Wolff to leave the door open for Max Verstappen (pictured) for 2026.

Rumors that the quadruple world champion may be back in talks with the Mercedes team boss and co-owner were re-fired in Austria by George Russell.

“What did Russell say now?” a frustrated Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko exclaimed at the Red Bull Ring.

It is understandable that the on-form Russell is making clear that talks between Mercedes and Wolff are taking place, as he would therefore need to find an alternative seat.

Still, Marko is not impressed.

Dr Helmut Marko seen during the FIA Formula One World Championship at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on June 26, 2025. // Lucas Pripfl / Red Bull Ring

“Russell talks too much. I thought he already had a contract,” the Austrian quipped.

“This is the result of what happened in Montreal. That victory actually damaged him. We can’t really take this seriously. Russell simply talks too much.”

However, Wolff and 27-year-old Verstappen have not stopped the rumors either, with the Red Bull driver refusing to categorically commit to his current team for next year.

“Define ‘flirting’,” said Wolff when asked the obvious question by a journalist.

“There is no ‘flirt’ in that sense. It depends how you act. You can flirt, or you can have conversations.”

Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, and Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 GP of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

It seems impossible that Wolff would oust his 18-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli after a single season, and he reiterated on Friday that he sees the Italian as a “future champion”.

However, Wolff also will not rule out a Russell-Verstappen pairing.

“I can imagine every lineup,” the Austrian insisted. “I had (Nico) Rosberg and (Lewis) Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything else after that is easy.”

As for ‘flirting’ with Verstappen, Wolff is unapologetic.

“We are happy with our drivers,” he told Sky Italia after the official FIA press conference, “but with a company like Mercedes and out of respect for everyone, you have to look at all the opportunities – even more so if it’s a four-time world champion.”

From Marko’s perspective, however, nothing will change for 2026.

“The fact is that Max has been driving for us his entire career, and he just feels comfortable in the team,” he said.

“However, we have fallen behind McLaren so we have to make sure that we build a car again with which he can fight for victories on his own. The current situation, though, is that Max stays with us.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, meanwhile, told Viaplay: “We don’t pay any attention to all of this.

“For now, it’s just rumors. We know exactly where we stand with Max. The rest is mainly just a lot of noise.”