Wolff rejects Verstappen rumors, Alonso to miss Japan GP media day

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has firmly dismissed early-season speculation linking Max Verstappen to his team, calling the rumors "silly." Meanwhile, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso will miss Thursday's media activities at the Japanese Grand Prix due to the imminent birth of his first child, though he is expected to be ready for Friday's on-track sessions.

Why it matters:

The Verstappen-to-Mercedes rumors, surfacing just two races into the 2026 season, highlight the intense and perpetual scrutiny surrounding the driver market, especially concerning the sport's top talent. Alonso's temporary absence underscores the balance drivers must strike between their high-profile careers and significant personal milestones, with teams needing to adapt their weekend preparations accordingly.

The details:

• Wolff's Firm Denial: When asked about renewed speculation of Mercedes' interest in Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff expressed astonishment that such talk is already occurring in March. He emphasized his complete satisfaction with current drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, both of whom have long-term contracts, stating there is "absolutely no reason" to consider a change.
• Source of the Rumors: The chatter was fueled by comments from former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, who suggested talks between Verstappen and Mercedes are inevitable, and 1996 champion Damon Hill, who remarked that Russell's position is "always temporary" despite a strong start to the year.
• Alonso's Schedule Change: Aston Martin confirmed Alonso will arrive in Japan later than planned for "personal family reasons," forcing him to skip the official media day. Reports indicate the reason is the expected birth of his child with partner Melissa Jimenez.
• Weekend Impact: Alonso's absence from media duties is not expected to affect his racing schedule. He was already slated to miss the first practice session (FP1) for rookie Jak Crawford, but the team confirms he "will be at the track in time for Friday."

What's next:

The focus now shifts entirely to the track at Suzuka. With the driver market rumors publicly quashed by Wolff, Mercedes will aim to continue its development progress, while Aston Martin will integrate Alonso back into the weekend routine seamlessly. All eyes will be on whether the on-track performance in Japan validates Wolff's confidence in his current lineup or fuels further speculation down the line.