- Toto Wolff wanted Max Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton last year
- George Russell's agreement with Mercedes will expire at the end of the season
- That leaves the possibility of another open Verstappen movement, but will Wolff do it?
Mercedes Chief Toto Wolff said that Max Verstappen is no longer in his radar and said he is ready to open conversations with George Russell for a contract extension.
Wolff tried to attract Verstappen to Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton last year before the four times world champion chose to stay in Red Bull.
The Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli was promoted by the Junior Junior ranks with Russell for the new season that begins in Australia on Sunday.
Russell, 27, is entering his fourth season with Mercedes, but his current agreement will expire at the end of the year, leaving space for Wolff to make a play for Verstappen.
However, speaking in Melbourne before Sunday's curtain collector, Wolff said: 'We need to concentrate on our driver line.
'Do not flirt outside if I am in a good relationship. At the moment (a movement for Verstappen) is not on the radar.
Mercedes does not plan to make another movement for Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff said
Mercedes chief cut Verstappen last year, but says he is now concentrated in his team
Silver arrows wanted Verstappen to replace Lewis Hamilton, who has joined Ferrari
'I don't like to move my concentration away from these types (Russell and Antonelli). I am someone who attaches to what he says and this is the combination that I want to move on with Mercedes. I have no other reasons to doubt that.
After Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari, Russell will enter a campaign as the main driver of Mercedes for the first time in his career.
And when asked about Russell's next agreement, Wolff continued: 'A few weeks ago, we had a conversation about when the right time would be in contact.
'We are going to find some time, I suppose before the summer. We will do it in a timely manner, without interrupting the season.
Russell, who beat Hamilton in two of the three years that were paired in Mercedes, added: 'In sport, performance speaks for itself. So, from my side, there is no pressure. I have no doubt about me, and everything will fit when the moment is correct.
'With Toto and I, we have had such a long -term relationship and there is a lot of confidence with each other. But at this time, we have larger fish to fry, what is returning to Mercedes at the top and trying to win races and championships.