Toto Wolff’s public pursuit of Max Verstappen is mainly “mischief” to anꩲnoy Red Bull, says Martin Brundle.

The Mercedes boss proudly announced that Kimi Antonelli would replace Lewis H♋amilton🌊, and sit alongside George Russell in their 2025 line-up.

But he also spoke about his ongoing desire to tempt Red Bull’s Verstappen into a Merc𝔉edes for 2026.

The new F1 regulations which will begin in 2026 could enable Mercedes to start a fresh era of dominance if the🦄y emerge with the strongest engine, making them attractive to ev꧂ery driver on the grid including Verstappen.

But Sky Sports’ Brundle said: ဣ“With Toto there is as much mischief to destabilise Red Bull as there is trying to stabiliseℱ Mercedes.

“When he said that, he had George one sideꦯ of him, 🌸and Antonelli the other side!

“They manage both of those drivers’ career, aꦫs well.

“George is the lead driver of the great Mercedes team going into a ye𒆙ar where it looks like the car might be strong.

“It’s all for the taking. I don’t think he needs to look in his 🧸rear view🐭 mirror at other drivers.”

Brundle’s view is in contrast to Nico Rosberg’s, who expects a battle between next season’s Mercedes drivers﷽ to keep their spots.

“It really becomes a straight shootout between Antonelli and George,” Rosberg predict🥂ed.

“It won’t be a comfortable position for George. Because you have a young superstar, 18 𒊎years old. George is expected to beat Antonelli so he can almost only lose next year.

“It’s uncomfortable, he has to beat♐ Antonelli to be kept on alongside Versta❀ppen.”