Toto Wolff declares F1 silly season 'officially cancelled' after Max Verstappen decision

Toto Wolff has proclaimed F1's silly season "officially cancelled" after Max Verstappen re-upped with Red Bull.

The Dutchman's contract extension will see him stay with the Milton Keynes-based team until the end of 2030, and puts to rest years of speculation that he would seek pastures new in the paddock.

Whilst McLaren had emerged as the favourites for the four-time F1 drivers' champion's signature in recent months, Mercedes was long thought to be the most likely landing spot for Verstappen if he did decide on a change of scenery.

Wolff has admired the 28-year-old since before he reached F1, and narrowly missed out on signing him over a decade ago, ultimately getting pipped to the punch by Helmut Marko, who could offer the 71-time grand prix winner a seat at Toro Rosso for 2015.

In the last couple of years, the Mercedes team principal has stated that Verstappen joining the Silver Arrows was a partnership that needed to happen in the future, but now that looks increasingly unlikely.

The eight-time constructors' champions had already committed to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, ending any lingering jeopardy over the former's future with the team.

When asked whether he was relieved that no one would be asking him about Verstappen anymore, with that point of discussion now over, Wolff was quick to highlight the Red Bull driver's influence over the F1 driver market.

"I think the most important thing was that we had clarity in the team for a long time," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.

"We committed to George and Kimi, and in a way, that was just a logical consequence, I guess.

"With what has happened now, silly season is officially cancelled, and everybody can concentrate on the racing."