Latest news with #SilverArrows
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Mercedes decide on signing Max Verstappen as Toto Wolff issues key statement
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has broken his silence on the possibility of signing Max Verstappen, as he confirmed George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are the 'absolute priority' Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed speculation about landing Max Verstappen. The Dutch ace remains strongly tipped for a switch from Red Bull, despite being tied down until 2028 with a contract signed after his first title success in four years ago. Verstappen's deal is understood to contain an escape clause which could see him depart before next season, with turmoil at his current outfit fuelling intense rumours – particularly after Christian Horner's exit as team principal and chief executive of the racing outfit. Mercedes feature among the teams rumoured to have courted the defending champion, with Wolff previously making no attempt to hide his admiration for the 27-year-old. The Austrian has tried to sign Verstappen in the past, including when he was a teenager on his way up to F1. Yet, the Silver Arrows chief has now cooled talk of a potential swoop. Instead, the longest serving team principal on the F1 grid has backed his current pairing of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the year as it stands. Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, he said: "Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months. So they are all up to date. The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the absolute priority." He went on to admit, though, that he had taken a good look at the idea of luring Verstappen to Mercedes, adding: "You can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises." Wolff's comments come after two weeks filled with rumours about Verstappen's future since the British Grand Prix. News of Horner's dismissal just days after the Silverstone race led to inevitable speculation that the Dutchman could follow his former boss through the exit door. Talk of a sensational switch to Mercedes reached fever pitch when online sleuths figured out that Verstappen and Silver Arrows chief Wolff were both holidaying in Sardinia at around the same time. Planes and yachts were tracked using online tools, while some edited images were circulated showing Wolff allegedly boarding Verstappen's private jet, though the pictures were fake. Wolff laughed as that particular situation was brought up in the ORF interview. He said of it: "It is new that people make photo collages of a plane – we've never had that before. If you go on vacation close to each other, that doesn't mean you're also working together in Formula 1. We've always had a good relationship, and coincidentally, we also spend the holidays in similar areas."
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Max Verstappen's Mercedes move ruined by Red Bull tactic not related to money
Mercedes have long been linked with a move for Max Verstappen, and the Silver Arrows are looking to succeed where they've previously failed competing for the Red Bull star Rumours are swirling that Mercedes are ramping up efforts to sign Max Verstappen from Red Bull come the end of this year. And it's not Toto Wolff 's first attempt after the Silver Arrows team principal was previously thwarted in an early bid to bring the Dutch sensation into his stable. Before Verstappen had even debuted in Formula 1, Red Bull snapped up their junior with a proposition that left Mercedes in the dust, guaranteeing him a drive in his rookie year. Mercedes were unable to match the proposition at that juncture and missed out on a generational talent in the process. The futures of Mercedes' duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli currently hang in the balance. Both drivers' contracts are due to expire in December, though one would expect 18-year-old Antonelli to stay put given the potential he's demonstrated. Russell, 27, said this week there's an "exceptionally low" chance he isn't at Brackley in 2026 and isn't negotiating with rival camps, despite the words of Martin Brundle. Yet this staunch loyalty may seem overoptimistic considering the calibre of competitor allegedly in contention to take his spot. Prior to pledging allegiance to Red Bull, a 16-year-old Verstappen entertained overtures from Mercedes and valued race minutes above all else. That's something Red Bull were willing to deliver by handing him a seat with sister team Toro Rosso (now rebranded as Racing Bulls). Mercedes were left out of the loop as they couldn't promise him a 2015 seat, instead dangling the prospect of a spot at either Williams or the now-defunct Force India in 2016. Verstappen's agent, Raymond Vermeulen, backed their decision as "the right choice" in 2020, confirming Mercedes were indeed part of the discussions. Red Bull's driver development chief, Helmut Marko, refuted the idea that Mercedes' offer spurred his team to sweeten their deal. Speaking in the summer of 2014, the Austrian stated: "I never asked what Mercedes was offering. We did our negotiations, built up our relationship and he decided to go with us." Verstappen was quizzed at Silverstone on Thursday about whether he could envision himself driving for another team and responded: "I'm going to say no, because if I say yes, people will make up headlines again, and that's not what I want. "I always said to the team it would be ideal, and I think they think the same way, to finish off my career in Formula 1 with one team. I think that would be something amazing, and that's what we are still trying to achieve." Lewis Hamilton has spoken in favour of the potential transfer, saying he would "of course" endorse the move to his old team. However, Verstappen will have the ultimate say on a decision that has been years in the making. Securing Verstappen's services is far from simple, especially as he still has three years remaining on his Red Bull contract. This stipulation means Mercedes would need to financially compensate their rivals if they wish to acquire the highly sought-after driver. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung ahead of the British Grand Prix, Marko made his stance clear: "He hasn't signed and can't do it at all. It's just annoying now. The same questions keep coming up, we keep giving the same answers, because nothing has changed in the initial situation." Currently third in the rankings and trailing 60 points behind McLaren front-runner Oscar Piastri, Verstappen appears set to relinquish his world champion status. His predicament isn't helped by Yuki Tsunoda stepping in for the underperforming Liam Lawson as his team-mate, while Red Bull lags behind in the constructors' standings, where they currently sit fourth.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Toto Wolff changes his tune with Max Verstappen U-turn after George Russell take
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff mentioned two months ago that chasing Red Bull's Max Verstappen was not a priority, but new admissions suggest his stance has now shifted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has performed a U-tuen regarding his interest in Red Bull ace Max Verstappen. While Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have contracts winding up in 2025, speculation is rife about the Dutchman being 'close' to signing with the Silver Arrows. Currently, Mercedes faces uncertainty as neither of their drivers are locked in post-2025. With talks for a new contract with Russell ongoing and whispers of Verstappen swapping teams picking up pace, Wolff's stance appears to have evolved. While he downplayed any interest in Verstappen as recently as March, ahead of the British Grand Prix, Sky Italy suggests that the wheels are in motion for him to join Mercedes, and a deal is 'close.' The team's board hasn't yet settled on this potential shuffle, which leaves the Brackley futures of Russell and young 18-year-old Antonelli in limbo. Just months prior, at the Australian Grand Prix, Wolff's comments echoed different sentiments: "I think we've said it pretty clearly last year, and he (Verstappen) said the same. We need to concentrate on our driver line-up, we need to do the best that we can. "I don't flirt outside if I'm in a good relationship, and that is true for this year, too. At the moment [Verstappen] is not on any, let's say, radar. I don't like to shift my concentration away from these guys [Russell and Antonelli]." Boss Wolff has now candidly acknowledged that discussions with Verstappen, who is tied to Red Bull until 2028, are essential as Mercedes' future lead driver remains a mystery for the 2026 season. Red Bull has kept quiet on the matter, reports the Express. "Everything goes its normal course - we have agreed on timings and we're absolutely within that framework, and it's clear silly season starts now," Wolff remarked back in June, in a stark contrast to his earlier admission. "Some conversations you just simply need to have, but it doesn't change my fundamental opinion about how the team is going to go forwards. "People talk, people explore, and most important is that in our organisation, we are transparent. But it doesn't change a millimetre of my opinion of George, his abilities, or anything else." Russell, basking in the glory of his maiden race victory at last month's Canadian Grand Prix, has been open about the situation in talks with Sky Sports F1. "As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on top, you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing," he admitted. "So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing. But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team." Asked if Russell was atop the list for Mercedes in 2026, Wolff replied: "Well, he needs to be top of the list because he's a race winner with us. He's a Mercedes junior. He's been with the team for a long time."
Daily Tribune
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Russell shrugs off reports, expects to sign new F1 deal within weeks
George Russell yesterday shrugged aside reports that he is set to be replaced at Mercedes by arch-rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull, saying he expects to sign a new Silver Arrows contract in 'the next couple of weeks'. The 27-year-old Briton, who earlier this week took delivery of a Mercedes AMG ONE supercar valued at $2.7 million (2.3 million euro), was in a relaxed mood at a news conference ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. 'There are a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public, not broadcast, and I know where their loyalty lies,' he told reporters. 'It doesn't need to be public and it doesn't need to be broadcast to everybody. 'We've obviously spoken a little bit more over the last week because there are numerous news articles and whatnot out there. In all honesty, it doesn't really change anything on my side. 'Obviously there's a lot of questions about it, but the more we speak or the less we speak about it, nothing really changes. It'll happen when the time is right. I expect probably in the next couple of weeks, probably, something to happen.' He reiterated his view that his results and performances will determine his future whether or not four-time champion Verstappen has accepted an offer from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as reported by Sky Sport Italia. 'I have quite a thick skin and I don't really read much news or listen to rumours,' he said. 'I just focus on the facts and on driving. I said it at the start of the year: -- you can have a contract, but if you don't perform, you're out.'
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes and adidas unveil heritage-inspired fanwear collection for British GP
This article is in partnership with adidas. Mercedes fans hoping for some silverware at the British Grand Prix can now celebrate the team's heritage thanks to a new collection from its clothing partner, adidas. Advertisement Taking inspiration from the iconic Mercedes-Benz W196 driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss, the new apparel collection features grey and silver tones to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the team's world championship win in 1955. The Silver Arrows pack is a fanwear collection designed to bring a bold, eye-catching look to the team's home race. It came about after adidas designers looked back through the team's archive to pay homage to its rich heritage in grand prix racing. adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear The car's iconic silver colour comes to life across key pieces in the collection, with silver chalice detailing including the adidas logo appearing on the hoodie, fleece, sweatshirt, t-shirt and cap. Advertisement The hoodie is also lined with the same tartan pattern that featured on the seating of the 1955 racer, further celebrating the iconic W196 and its standing as a racer that was ahead of its time. The collection is now live and available to buy at as well as in selected adidas retailers worldwide. Michael Batz, motorsport category GM at adidas, said: 'Silverstone is an iconic circuit on the calendar, which has seen some of the sport's most thrilling races - making it the perfect stage to launch a collection inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz W196. adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear 'Our aim ahead of the home race is to honour the legacy of a team that has thrived at the highest level of motorsport and to give fans a way to celebrate that legacy too.' Advertisement Richard Sanders, chief commercial officer at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, added: 'Our fans understand the significance that Silverstone has to us as a team, as do adidas. It's our home and a race that has brought us many priceless moments throughout our history in Formula 1. "So, to have a collection for Silverstone, and one that pays tribute to an integral part of our history, is truly exciting, and we can't wait to see fans showing their support wearing the collection during the race weekend.' adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear adidas Mercedes Motorsport Fan wear To read more articles visit our website.
