As Formula 1 enters the summer stretch, speculation about next season’s driver market is ramping up. Alongside the anticipated Cadillac line-up, all eyes are on the Brackley-based team. According to the latest update from Team Principal Toto Wolff, there is now a timeline for when Mercedes will finalize its driver decisions — and whether Max Verstappen could make a shock move.
George Russell’s contract expires at the end of this season, and some rumors suggest that an extension may be announced during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Both George Russell and Toto Wolff have recently joked about the Verstappen situation, playing off the tension and rivalry that has developed between the two drivers on and off the track.
Kimi Antonelli also faces uncertainty in light of this scenario. Despite a solid debut, the Italian’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2025 — the same year as his teammate’s. While replacing him might seem hard to justify, the door to Mercedes remains open for multiple options.
When will a decision be made?
Toto Wolff has admitted that the chances of seeing Max Verstappen in a Mercedes seat are slim. He stressed the importance of not delaying the decision to protect all parties involved. His stance echoes recent comments from Helmut Marko, who said Max Verstappen’s future would be decided during the summer.
“I don’t want to keep a driver waiting or make decisions when they shouldn’t be made. We’re in a good position, it’s June. There are many conversations happening and I’ve been open and transparent. At some point, over the next two months before the summer break, we need to know.”
According to available information, the final decision is expected to come between the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix, which are separated by the mid-season break. Mercedes is not under pressure due to the quality of talent available, but with Max Verstappen widely regarded as the best driver on the grid, letting him go could be a missed opportunity.
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