Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff refused to deny that talks with Max Verstappen are taking place following George Russell's revelation ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows is yet to confirm its driver pairing for next year, with both Russell and Kimi Antonelli out of contract at the end of this season.
With Antonelli seen as the long-term future of Mercedes, it is highly unlikely he would be jettisoned, applying extra pressure on Russell.
Interest in Verstappen from Wolff has been speculated for several months; however, Russell revealed on media day at the Red Bull Ring that his contract conversations with Mercedes are being delayed by "ongoing" talks with the four-time world champion.
In addition, the Red Bull driver refused to commit his future to the Milton Keynes-based outfit, further increasing speculation of talks elsewhere.
When asked directly in the team principals' press conference by RacingNews365 for his thoughts on Russell's comment and if Verstappen is under serious consideration, Wolff replied: "Whether I like it or not, I like what George says.
"I'm always supportive of the driver, and there is no such thing as saying things I wouldn't want him to say.
"I think we are very transparent in what we do, what we plan, and we've been like that since I was put in charge. So that's not the issue. And at the moment, clearly, you need to explore what's happening in the future.
"But it doesn't change anything of what I have said before, about George, about Kimi, about the line-up that I'm extremely happy with having."
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Does Verstappen have a deadline?
With the summer break fast approaching, speculation over the remaining seats on the grid for 2026 are intensifying.
Wolff's decision over who the Brackley-based outfit will field for the start of the new power unit regulations will decide a significant part of the jigsaw puzzle, as will Verstappen if he does depart Red Bull.
Discussing whether Verstappen has a deadline to confirm his desire to join Mercedes, Wolff replied: "You make it sound like we are asking, 'When do you want to join and what are the terms?'
"That's not at all how it is and how it works. I want to just have the conversations behind closed doors, not town halls.
"And we have two drivers who have been in our programme for a long time, drivers that we are very perfectly happy to have, drivers who will do great in the future of the team."
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