Mercedes eyes Max Verstappen, McLaren gets a Ferrari legend, and Red Bull swaps engineers in Austria

The Austrian Grand Prix weekend began with bombshells up and down the paddock. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff stopped short of denying talks with Max Verstappen, Red Bull reshuffled its engineering line-up, and McLaren made a surprise boardroom appointment — all before lights out in practice.

Toto Wolff confirmed Mercedes remains open to discussions with reigning champion Max Verstappen, who is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 but remains the focal point of the 2025 driver market. The revelation came after George Russell casually told reporters that Wolff had been “speaking to Max,” a statement the team principal declined to refute when pressed.

“We talk to a lot of drivers,” Wolff said. “The most important thing is having the best possible line-up — now and in the future.”

While Russell’s contract is up at the end of the year, Mercedes junior and F2 prodigy Kimi Antonelli is also in contention. But Verstappen’s availability — amid growing Red Bull tensions — has reshaped the driver market entirely.

Meanwhile, Verstappen faced his own shake-up at Red Bull. With long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase sitting out the weekend — the first absence since Verstappen’s promotion in 2016 — the Dutchman was partnered with Daniel Ricciardo’s former engineer for the weekend. The adjustment was felt immediately.

“It’s different, obviously,” Verstappen said. “You build a rhythm with someone like GP [Lambiase] over the years, but we’re managing well. It’s about communication and trust.”

Back in the boardroom, McLaren stunned the paddock by appointing former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo as a director of the McLaren Group. The legendary F1 figure, who once orchestrated Ferrari’s golden era with Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt, and Ross Brawn, now brings decades of pedigree to the Woking outfit.

Montezemolo’s arrival comes as McLaren continues its resurgence on track, with strong performances from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and an ambition to reclaim title-contending form.

On the circuit, Lewis Hamilton received a warning from stewards following an FP2 investigation for allegedly impeding Kimi Antonelli at Turn 4. While no further action was taken, the incident highlighted the tight margins at the Red Bull Ring — and Hamilton’s growing frustration in his final months with Mercedes.

Another notable moment came when Lando Norris sat out FP1, making way for Irish rookie Alex Dunne. The 18-year-old, part of McLaren’s driver development programme, impressed with a calm, composed debut.

“Honestly, I didn’t mind,” Norris admitted when asked about missing the session. “It gave me a bit of a break and let the team try a few new things.”

Dunne’s performance turned heads — including that of Karun Chandhok, who publicly urged McLaren to make a deal with Cadillac and secure the youngster a race seat in 2026. The suggestion follows Cadillac’s entry into F1 engine supply from 2028 and hints at deeper manufacturer intrigue behind the scenes.

While practice times were the public focus, the paddock’s energy was dominated by high-level moves, sudden staff changes, and strategic whispers. The Austrian Grand Prix may be Verstappen’s home race, but for Mercedes and McLaren, it feels like a turning point in the season and beyond.

As Verstappen manages a new voice in his ear and Wolff plays chess with the driver market, this weekend could be remembered not just for what happened on track, but for what’s beginning off it.