Max Verstappen to Mercedes green light as Toto Wolff makes admission | F1 | Sport

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that the Silver Arrows are not afraid of forming a formidable driver line-up of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli one day amid George Russell’s struggles. Wolff’s team are leading the drivers’ and constructors’ championship after an impressive first half of the season.

Antonelli in particular has shone for Mercedes with six race wins so far this season, giving him a 50-point lead at the summit. Victories in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, Monaco and Belgium have given the 19-year-old a commanding lead over second-placed Lewis Hamilton in the driver’s standings as he looks to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

But despite Mercedes’ strong position in both F1 standings, the team’s other driver, Russell, has struggled in recent months. The Brit has won just two races this year and finished a disappointing seventh in Hungary last time out.

And Wolff has told Sky Germany that Mercedes would have no issue with putting the four-time former world champion with current championship leader Antonelli at the Silver Arrows.

He said: “We wouldn’t shy away from having Max and Kimi in the team together at some point.”

Asked about Antonelli’s rapid rise, he added: “I think the lad is simply very good at taking on board and putting into practice the feedback he receives.”

The 28-year-old said: “I am feeling good from my side. I’m saying that there is nothing to say because there is nothing going on.

“So, for me, I’m just focused on trying to get the most out of the car. And, like I was explaining before, that’s already complicated enough to deal with. Yeah, that’s what I’m just doing.

“I mean, this team is like a second family to me, you know, and yeah, we’re just trying to understand our car a bit better and, of course, get back to winning ways. But, I mean, we’ve been close on one weekend. I hope, of course, it’s a little bit more often than just one weekend. But, like I said before, it’s definitely on an upward trend. So that’s good.”