Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has dismissed suggestions the Silver Arrows considered Max Verstappen as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

Toto Wolff has already ruled out Kimi Antonelli from challenging for pole position in the first Formula One race of the season. Antonelli is being ushered in as Lewis Hamilton ’s replacement after the seven-time world champion departed Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the 2025 season.

Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolff sets a higher target than just acing the power unit regulations for his team in 2026.

Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes for Formula 1 rivals Ferrari was a blow, but also provided Toto Wolff with an opportunity to correct a huge past mistake

Toto Wolff has revealed that there was ‘never a plan’ to bring Max Verstappen into Mercedes for the 2025 season, but admitted that the two parties ‘always talked’ during Red Bull ’s period of internal turmoil in 2024.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed he had never planned to sign Max Verstappen despite his public flirting with the four-time F1 world champion. Wolff courted Verstappen throughout 2024 as he looked for a possible Lewis Hamilton replacement.