Mercedes chief Toto Wolff says he is “not at all” disappointed by Max Verstappen having committed to Red Bull with a new contract that runs until 2030.

Ahead of the Formula 1 season resuming with Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix over the weekend, Red Bull ended speculation over the four-time world champion’s future by announcing the extension.

While Verstappen’s previous deal was set to run until 2028, exit clauses in the agreement meant the 28-year-old would have been free to join another team in 2027, with possible switches to Mercedes and McLaren having been the subject of significant speculation.

Wolff made a very public pursuit of Verstappen after Lewis Hamilton announced in February 2024 that he was leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, and the Mercedes boss appeared to still be interested in signing the Dutchman last season

However, Wolff has insisted in recent months that he is happy with his driver pairing of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who sit first and second, respectively, at the top of the Drivers’ Championship after Sunday’s race in Zandvoort.

Asked about Verstappen’s new contract in an interview with Sky Sports F1 on Saturday in Zandvoort, Wolff said: “Most important was that we had the clarity in the team since a long time.

“We’re committed to George and Kimi, and in a way, that was just a logical consequence what happened now.

“Silly season is officially cancelled now, and everybody can concentrate on the racing.”

Pushed on whether he felt any disappointment about the length of Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, Wolff added: “No, not at all.

“We know each other well. With Kimi and George, it’s the perfect set-up we have and the perfect line-up, so there is no disappointment.”

Rosberg: I don’t think Max had any options

The cooling of Wolff’s interest in Verstappen appears as though it may have been influenced by the hugely impressive form that has put Antonelli in control of the championship.

The Italian, who turned 20 on Tuesday, has unexpectedly outperformed the far more experienced Russell to build a 59-point advantage over his team-mate at the top of the standings.

While Mercedes showed huge faith in Antonelli by fast-tracking him in as Hamilton’s replacement as a teenager, an inconsistent rookie campaign left doubt over whether he would be able to live up to expectations.

However, his 2026 form, which saw him break countless records by winning five successive races after finishing second in the season opener, could potentially have made Wolff reconsider whether bringing Verstappen to Mercedes remained necessary.

McLaren appeared to be similarly content with their current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who have combined to lead the Woking squad to successive constructors’ titles.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Nico Rosberg, who won the 2016 world championship with Mercedes, said: “It’s fantastic news for Formula 1 because Max Verstappen is the greatest driver at the moment, and we want him to stay here. He’s a phenomenal driver!

“He was thinking about taking some time off, or stopping F1 for a while, so that’s great.

“I don’t think he had any options. He was in talks with McLaren, but I think that was just to strengthen his position at Red Bull.

“Red Bull need stability so you offer him a bit more money, and the range is from £70-90m a year, so let’s land on £80m – which is a lot of money!”

Formula 1 heads to Monza for Ferrari’s home race at the Italian Grand Prix on September 4-6, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

We have a busy day’s racing on Wednesday with flat action from Newbury and Wolverhampton, live on Sky Sports Racing…

6.30 Newbury – Cloud Forest and River Card headline feature handicap

Cloud Forest and River Card clash in an excellent renewal of the feature Gracelands Handicap at Newbury.

Saeed bin Suroor saddles Cloud Forest, who drops back to a mile as he makes his handicap debut after three starts this season. The form of his recent second at Kempton has been boosted and he can go well under Hector Crouch.

River Card claimed the notable scalp of Maltese Cross when winning an Ascot maiden last year but finished well beaten in a sales race over in Deauville next time. He makes appeal if fit enough on this seasonal return and handicap debut with Tom Marquand in the saddle for the first time.

Others to note include Haydock winner Home Hero, while the hat-trick seeking Accademia must be feared despite a six-pound penalty for her course and distance success last month.

3.30 Wolverhampton – In-form The Craftymaster faces Boilermaker

In-form The Craftymaster takes on six rivals in a trappy attheraces.com/Marketmovers Handicap at Wolverhampton.

Tony Carroll’s charge has won three of his past four starts and seeks a hat-trick under new pilot Molly Gunn. A narrow winner at Lingfield and Newmarket the last twice, he switches back to the all-weather with obvious claims.

Boilermaker recorded a first career success at Sandown last month and, with confidence boosted, the sole three-year-old in the field ought to make his presence felt on just his third all-weather run.

Thomas Faulkner’s V Power merits respect on the pick of his form, while Letmebetheboss and Fair Dinkum complete the shortlist.

5.55 Newbury – Somers Isles and Bidsta clash in hot fillies maiden

Somers Isles and Bidsta clash in a hot edition of this IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at 5.55pm.

The Andrew Balding-trained Somers Isle made a pleasing start to her career when runner-up at Newmarket last month and, with the yard in cracking form, she could go one better under Oisin Murphy.

Richard Spencer’s Starburster showed ability when getting the hang of things late on debut at Windsor and granted natural progression she looks an each-way player.

George Boughey’s Bidsta is a fascinating newcomer for Victorious Racing. A 380,000-guineas purchase at two, she is closely related to useful sprinter Ferrous and should be in the mix for a yard who have done well with juveniles this summer.

Best of the rest

2.30 Wolverhampton – My Maria and Lovely Dark Angel contest strong novice.

4.10 Newbury – Informative Nursery with 15 runners.

4.45 Newbury – Maiden with several interesting types including Yabreen, Solar Swing and Perfect Strike feature.

5.20 Newbury – Darjeel and Saturn Star feature.

5.30 Clairefontaine – Listed Handicap

4.30 La Teste De Buch – Listed where New Connection represents Wathnan and Graffard.

In the end, it took the exuberance of youth to spark West Ham United’s season into life.

After the 4-1 victory over Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo watched on like a proud father when youngsters Joshua Ajala, 19, Airidas Golambeckis, 18, Lewis Orford, 20, Finlay Herrick, 20, Ezra Mayers, 19, and Divine Mukasa, 19, were serenaded by the away enclosure at St Mary’s Stadium.

Following disappointing performances against Burnley and Charlton Athletic, Nuno’s side needed to produce a positive display. But he opted against naming a strong starting XI like in the previous round against Portsmouth. Instead, Nuno fielded six academy graduates, with forward Ajala, who scored twice, making his full debut. So did defender Golambeckis and third-choice goalkeeper Herrick. Midfielder Orford, who registered two assists, made his third start of the season, defender Mayers made his first first-team appearance since April, while attacking midfielder Mukasa made his first start since rejoining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

A seventh academy player in Kaelan Casey also featured when he made a late cameo in added time. In total, five members — Herrick, Mukasa, Orford, Casey and Ollie Scarles —  of the FA Youth Cup-winning side from 2023 featured in the matchday squad against Southampton.

West Ham have always prided themselves on being the Academy of Football, and this was that nickname turning into reality.

It was West Ham’s biggest away win in the League Cup since their 5-1 win over Walsall in September 1967. West Ham could have capitulated after Leo Scienza’s opener for Southampton in the tenth minute, but the youngsters showed they were not overawed by the occasion.

“It was a top team performance,” Mukasa told The Athletic. “We came here, did what we needed to do and I think we just need to build on this momentum now. I’m happy and buzzing for Josh, obviously (scoring) two goals. He usually plays as a striker, so he knows how to score goals, which he showed today, but also on the wing, he’s good in one-v-one situations. It was a top performance from Lewis (Orford), from minute one to the end of the game.

“It was so good (for the academy players to be given a chance). Especially today, there were a lot of players that I grew up playing with. It was good to share the pitch with all of them and get the win. We’ve grown up playing with each other since pre-academy days, so it’s really special to show that to everyone. I think that’s exactly what we showed (being the Academy of Football). Young players can go out there and play well.”

Before the closure of the transfer window on September 1, the youngsters showed they are worthy of a role in the club’s push for immediate promotion to the Premier League. Orford assisted Ajala and club captain Jarrod Bowen. Golambeckis did not look out of place alongside Max Kilman. Herrick showed great character to play the full match despite nursing a knock to his right calf.

The desire and dedication were in huge contrast to that shown by the quartet of Jean-Clair Todibo, Maxwel Cornet, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Edson Alvarez, who were again not named in the squad as they seek exits. Fellow wantaway Soungoutou Magassa was an unused substitute and did not join in the post-match celebrations, having headed straight down the tunnel.

Nuno and West Ham have had a difficult start to the season (James Fearn/Getty Images)

But of the many players to seize their opportunity, Ajala, who signed a contract extension in March, showed why he deserves more game time. Having been an unused substitute against Burnley and Charlton, the attacker scored his first senior goal in the 41st minute. He also showed great awareness for his second goal when he capitalised on Jack Stephens’ misplaced clearance.

Ajala, a prolific scorer for the academy, was on the cusp of scoring his first hat-trick since a youth league fixture against Crystal Palace Under-18 in May 2024. But Nuno substituted the youngster in the 59th minute for Manor Solomon.

“This is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time, so it’s just a surreal moment to score twice on my first start,” Ajala told West Ham’s official website. “In training, when we’ve had to work on set-pieces, the coach has just told me to lurk around the back post. When I saw Lewis (Orford) put a good ball in, I just had to keep my eye on it, just to make sure it goes in the net. Then for the second, it was just following in the box when Divine’s ball was going and just being calm and convinced that I could convert the opportunity.”

Goals from second-half substitutes Taty Castellanos and Bowen sealed the win after the break. Castellanos was embraced by supporters when he ran towards them during his celebration. Mukasa joined in and was also mobbed by fans. The midfielder’s performance was impressive considering he is not fully fit, having not featured in any of Manchester City’s pre-season games. Nuno switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation against Southampton and Mukasa will hope to play a prominent role as a No 10 in forthcoming fixtures at Watford and when West Ham host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County.

“For me (my performance), is just something to build on,” said Mukasa. “I didn’t play many games in the summer so I’m just looking forward to building on it. I love the fan base. I grew up going to games so I know what it means to them. It was good to see them all so happy (after Castellanos’ goal). It’s definitely special being back. The ambitions of the club are really high. I‘m really looking forward to being a part of it.”

On Tuesday night, the Academy of Football lived up to its name — and gave West Ham hope for the season ahead.