Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has moved to quash speculation that he's already negotiating with Max Verstappen for a potential switch in 2026 or beyond.
Ex-F1 racer Ralf Schumacher believes he's spotting clues that the four-time world champion might activate an escape clause and abandon Red Bull as its current troubles persist.
"Max is impatient, and rightly so," the German remarked to Sky Deutschland. "I wouldn't want to be there to see what happens in that meeting," Schumacher smiled.
"And I wouldn't be surprised if there are already negotiations going on in the background. We'll have to see what happens, but next year is a completely new car, a completely new engine. And they can't even get this current combination made by Adrian Newey right."
Verstappen, trailing Lando Norris by eight points in the championship, missed the podium at the Chinese GP, agreeing with Dutch reporters who suggested Red Bull might now rank as the "fourth team" behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
"It seems that way," he said.
When a journalist questioned the 27-year-old's drive to lift Red Bull out of its slump, he replied: "Yes, and I hear these conversations all the time," Verstappen laughed.
"For me, nothing changes. In fact, I am very relaxed, very positive, I enjoy life. Every time I get into the car, I try to do the best I can."
Reports claim Verstappen has been tempted with a staggering financial package to join Aston Martin, though Dutch journalist Jack Plooij insists a Mercedes move is practically sealed.
"No reaction," Mercedes chief Wolff responded to Sky Deutschland in Shanghai when confronted with the latest Verstappen chatter.
"The silly season starts early this year, maybe now. We stand behind the decision we have made and our two drivers."
Wolff's 18-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli has already shone in Lewis Hamilton's former seat, earning 'driver of the day' honours on Sunday.
That recognition came despite George Russell securing a podium finish for the second race running in 2025. "Congratulations to him," Russell said when informed of Antonelli's official accolade.
Significantly, 27-year-old Russell's contract expires this year, though many observers rank him—alongside Verstappen—as one of the top performers of the 2025 season so far.
"He is delivering sensational performances," Wolff agrees, "and it's incredible how calm Kimi is driving at just 18 years of age. So nothing has changed."
When pushed on whether he'd entertain signing Verstappen for 2026, Wolff stated: "That question is not relevant now.
"There is no exchange there, and we stand by our drivers, and they're both delivering sensationally."
