Formula 1 Rumor: Verstappen to replace Russell at Mercedes in 2027 (2nd Update)

(GMM) Toto Wolff has brushed aside fresh speculation linking Max Verstappen with a move to Mercedes, insisting he has no reason to consider a driver change.

Rumors have suggested Verstappen – publicly enraged with the 2026 regulations and uncompetitive at Red Bull – could be a target for 2027. It is said he would replace championship leader George Russell, as Mercedes gets off to a dominant start to the controversial new regulations era.

But Wolff made clear he is not entertaining the idea.

“The astonishing thing is that these silly rumors are already surfacing in March,” he told Osterreich.

“It’s silly enough that you normally have to discuss these things in July. I don’t know who brought this up again.

“We have two drivers with whom we have long-term, multi-year contracts. I couldn’t be happier with either of them.

“Both are delivering top performances, so there’s absolutely no reason to even consider a lineup change, or other drivers. I say this with the utmost respect for Max.”

The speculation has been fueled in part by Verstappen’s increasing links with Mercedes machinery outside Formula 1, including his GT3 program and reported involvement in development work for the brand’s next GT3 model.

However, Wolff insisted he is firmly focused on his current pairing – particularly rising star Kimi Antonelli.

“You mustn’t forget that we had to listen to criticism for over a year – that he’s too young, that he makes too many mistakes,” Wolff said.

“It was a lot of hard work that we did together.

“Now we’ve experienced a great moment in China, but there will also be races where things don’t go so well. That’s part of the game.”

Despite Antonelli’s breakthrough win, Wolff urged caution about expectations. “No, it’s far too early to talk about that,” he said when asked about a potential title fight with Russell.

“We’re only at the second race this year, and he won that one.

“We’re ideally positioned: we have a veteran and a young driver for the future – that makes for a dream pairing.”

Wolff also played down the significance of appointing Bradley Lord as co-team principal, describing the move as a way to manage the growing demands of the role.

“For me, nothing really changes,” he said. “I remain team principal.

“Bradley makes my life much easier because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to manage the ever-increasing workload.”

Jolyon Palmer believes talks between Max Verstappen and Mercedes are inevitable.  “The conversation is going to happen because Red Bull, we said this last year, but they will not win the title this year,” Palmer said during the F1 Nation podcast.

“I was right in the end last year by two points. They look like they’ve got way too much work to do, and Max is not here to finish eighth in qualifying. He’s not here to not even fight for a podium.

“He’s going to be looking at a way to get into that Mercedes because they have the best car. They will, at the very least, be in the mix for being champions for the next couple of years as well.

“And if you’re Toto, you’ve got a chance to sign Max, you’ve got the threat of other teams closing in. So your built-in advantage at the start of this year is only going to get smaller.

“You can’t ignore the fact that you’ve got Max Verstappen calling, and we saw already those conversations happen last year, and there was a bit of tension. It was Austria where in the press conference, George was like, ‘Well, hang on, why are we all talking that he’d replace me? I’m beating Kimi all the time. So, he should be worried.’

“So, imagine there’s the title looming and that in the background.”

It was the story that dominated paddock whispers throughout 2025. AutoRacing1.com published many articles on Mercedes boss Toto Wolff actively courting Max Verstappen (pictured with Toto Wolff), with the Austrian executive openly admitting he would “wait forever” for the four-time world champion if the stars aligned.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Wolff’s persistence was no secret — private dinners, Sardinia yacht sightings, and late-night calls amid Red Bull’s internal chaos. Verstappen stayed put for 2026, but the seeds were planted.

Fast-forward to March 2026, and the plot twist no one saw coming is already unfolding on track… and off it.

Verstappen is now officially behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, racing under the banner of Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing. The multi-year partnership — complete with Red Bull livery on a silver arrow GT3 machine — was blessed personally by Wolff and Mercedes-AMG. Dates for the Nürburgring 24 Hours were even shifted to accommodate Max’s schedule. Wolff couldn’t hide his delight: “Max driving a Mercedes is something we enjoy.” The message was clear — bridges aren’t just built; they’re being driven across at 200 mph.

Meanwhile, George Russell’s future at Mercedes is looking more fragile than ever.

When Mercedes finally confirmed its 2026 lineup last October, Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli were locked in for next season. What wasn’t publicly detailed at the time? The contracts were anything but equal.

Russell signed a 1+1 deal: guaranteed for 2026, with an automatic extension to 2027 only if he hits specific performance targets (widely understood to involve outperforming his teammate or delivering consistent podiums/wins). Reports peg his new salary at around $40 million per year—big money, but with big strings attached. Russell himself later revealed the clause publicly: “If I’m performing next year… we have a specific clause that if I reach a certain target, we will automatically renew for 2027.”

Antonelli? He’s reportedly tied down until 2029.

That disparity, highlighted in yesterday’s bombshell by Swiss outlet Blick, has suddenly thrust Russell’s seat into the spotlight. With Red Bull’s 2026 car proving a “horror show” (Wolff’s own words after watching Max qualify poorly and retire early in China), Verstappen’s long-term future in Milton Keynes is under the microscope. Performance clauses in Max’s own Red Bull deal are already being whispered about again.

Picture this scenario playing out in 2026:

Russell starts the year strongly—he already has a win under his belt early in the season—but the pressure mounts as the Silver Arrows fight for titles against McLaren and a resurgent Ferrari. Antonelli, the prodigy locked in long-term, keeps improving. If Russell misses those performance triggers… the door swings wide open.

Enter Verstappen.

Wolff wouldn’t even need to “court” him anymore. The GT3 program has already created the perfect soft landing and relationship. Imagine the Dutchman sliding into the Mercedes garage in 2027 alongside the now-seasoned Antonelli. A dream pairing that turns Mercedes into an unstoppable force under the new regulations era.

Russell has always said he wants to win with Mercedes. He turned down bigger-money offers elsewhere to stay loyal. But loyalty in Formula 1 is measured in tenths of a second—and contract clauses.

Toto Wolff has played the long game masterfully. Last year’s flirting wasn’t wasted time; it was investment. The GT3 deal wasn’t just a fun side project—it was the ultimate insurance policy.

Max Verstappen in silver? It was always the plan B that suddenly looks like Plan A.

George Russell still holds his destiny in his own hands for now. But with Antonelli bulletproof until 2029 and Max already wearing Mercedes colors on the weekends he’s not in an F1 car, the clock is ticking louder than ever.

AutoRacing1.com will keep you updated — because if 2025 taught us anything, if Toto wants Max… he’ll probably find a way.