Toto Wolff Says George Russell Triggered Max Verstappen Media Frenzy

Toto Wolff has suggested that George Russell is partly responsible for the increased speculation surrounding his contract status with Mercedes.



The British driver’s current deal runs until the end of 2026, but recent revelations about Mercedes’ discussions with Max Verstappen have sparked questions over Russell’s long-term future with the team.



During the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff was questioned about the situation in an interview with Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle, who asked why Russell had not yet signed a new contract.



Brundle remarked, “It must be so embarrassing for him to keep having to turn up at Grands Prix justifying himself when he’s doing such a good job.”



Wolff, however, deflected the idea that Mercedes was to blame for the situation.



Instead, he pointed to the media for creating a narrative around the contract discussions.



“I think it’s more that you guys make a lot of pressure because it’s an interesting topic,” Wolff said.



“It’s completely normal, we have those negotiations and those discussions, every driver wants to have a better car and more money, completely normal behaviour, and that’s not going to be the crucial point.”



Russell Accused of Triggering Public Speculation



When asked whether Russell may have gone public with details of Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen to speed up contract talks, Wolff indicated that the driver’s actions had brought about the heightened media scrutiny.



Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham asked if Russell had revealed the Verstappen discussions in an effort to push the process forward.



“But do you think that George perhaps brought it out into the open about your having conversations with Max because he wanted to expedite this process, because he felt the pressure to do so?” she asked.



Wolff responded by implying that Russell had indeed opened the door to the media frenzy.



“Well I think he’s now triggered the whole media avalanche,” Wolff said.



“I think sometimes, maybe naive, but I try to be transparent with the drivers and I said to him, ‘Listen, I have the obligation of exploring what Max is going to do in the next few years,’ and I think he just came out with it wanting to show that, ‘I’m aware what’s going on, there’s nothing going on behind my back,’ and I’m fine with that,” Wolff added.



Verstappen Set to Stay at Red Bull—For Now



While speculation has grown about Verstappen potentially replacing Russell at Mercedes, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has attempted to shut down the rumours.



Speaking after the Belgian Grand Prix, Marko stated that Verstappen would remain with Red Bull in 2026.



Although no formal confirmation has been issued, his comments were aimed at calming the storm around Verstappen’s future.



Still, the possibility remains that if Mercedes becomes the strongest team when Formula 1’s new engine regulations take effect in 2026, Verstappen could be tempted to make a switch in the longer term.



Russell’s Position May Face Future Threat



Even if Verstappen stays put for now, the future is far from certain for Russell.



His current deal ends after the 2026 season, and whether he is offered a one-year extension or a multi-season commitment could indicate how secure his place at Mercedes really is.



The very mention of Verstappen’s name in contract conversations has already cast a shadow over Russell’s future.



With contract negotiations now very much in the public eye, Russell may find himself having to justify his position more than ever.



And for a driver who has consistently delivered solid performances for the Silver Arrows, that added pressure may only increase if Mercedes positions itself as a title contender once again.
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