Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that Max Verstappen was the primary driver behind Red Bull Racing's competitive performance during the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, June 28, 2026, downplaying the sole impact of Red Bull's latest vehicle upgrades.
Verstappen, who started the race from fifth position at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, finished in second place, trailing race winner George Russell by just over 1.6 seconds.
Red Bull introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade package for the event to close the performance gap on recent frontrunners Mercedes and Ferrari.
The technical upgrades provided a clear performance step for Red Bull, but Wolff emphasized that the driver made the difference.
When asked if he was surprised to see Red Bull emerge as the main challenger instead of Ferrari, Wolff shared his perspective on the competitive order.
"I am not surprised at all," said Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes.
The Mercedes chief noted that the circuit has historically been a strong venue for the Dutch driver, who has previously secured five Formula 1 victories at the Red Bull Ring, including two race wins in the 2021 season.
"Red Bull is one thing, but it was Max Verstappen.
For me it feels like Max has won every race here he has ever competed in, in any car.
Spielberg is one of his strong places," said Toto Wolff.
Wolff acknowledged that the upgraded Red Bull package functioned well during the race weekend, while expressing uncertainty regarding the performance drop from their Italian rivals.
"The car seems to have run well and the Ferraris, I don't know what happened to them," said Toto Wolff.
Despite Verstappen's strong performance in Spielberg, Wolff dismissed suggestions that the Red Bull driver should immediately be viewed as a major threat in the overall championship battle, responding to the query with a joke about his own driver.
"I think this could be a George Russell thought," said Toto Wolff.
The Austrian executive suggested that analyzing the single race result as a total championship shift was overcomplicating the current reality of the season.
"Overcomplication," said Toto Wolff.
Wolff reiterated that Verstappen remains a formidable competitor capable of influencing the title outcome regardless of seasonal standings.
"Max is always good to play a role in the championship," said Toto Wolff.
He pointed out that Verstappen's ability to maximize performance distinguishes him clearly from his teammates, making him a permanent factor in the sport.
"That [Red Bull] car performed well this weekend. I think the biggest factor this weekend was Max, to be honest.
He is able to get everything out of that car. You can see that from his teammates," said Toto Wolff.
Wolff concluded that the driver's individual talent means he can never be counted out of championship considerations.
"That's why you can never rule out or underestimate the Verstappen factor for a championship," said Toto Wolff.
Following the race in Austria, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli continues to lead the driver's championship standings.
The Italian driver finished third in the race and holds a 40-point lead over his teammate Russell, while Lewis Hamilton sits in third place, an additional six points behind.
Verstappen secured his second podium finish of the 2026 season with the runner-up result.
He currently occupies seventh place in the global championship standings, trailing the leader Antonelli by 98 points.
