After speculation surrounding Mercedes’ F1 2026 line-up was put to rest in Hungary, barring formal confirmation, Toto Wolff says the team “couldn’t wish for a better number one” than George Russell.

Russell’s future with Mercedes was said to be on shaky ground as the Briton revealed that Wolff was in “ongoing” talks with Max Verstappen about switching teams ahead of Formula 1’s huge regulation changes in 2026.

Mercedes are expected to confirm George Russell for F1 2026

Wolff confirmed there were talks, while a chance holiday in Sardinia where their yachts were anchored in the break between the British and Belgian Grands Prix added fuel to the fire.

And just like that, it was extinguished.

All the rumbling of Verstappen’s exit clause, a £100million, and Russell ‘s seat being under th

See Full Page