Verstappen is not the only heir to Hamilton’s throne at Mercedes

We noticed this week that Lewis Hamilton hoped to sign a new contract with Mercedes before the summer break to avoid the lengthy discussions of last season. The British driver does not seem to want to stop at the end of the season, to the delight of Mercedes, although the team knows that it will soon have to look to the future.

In view of the great feats that the Dutch driver Max Verstappen is capable of, he has long been described as a potential and ideal target for Mercedes, if the Austrian team Red Bull cannot provide a car capable of making him a world champion.

However, Wolff does not consider the Dutchman as the sole candidate for this coveted seat in the future. The director of the Mercedes team expressed himself in an interview with Motorsport.com: « Max is certainly a fantastic star of the future, but he is not the only one. And I see a group of very good young drivers coming up who are not yet in the cars they need to win. And in this respect, it is good to see how things are going ».”

« I see a group of very talented young drivers arriving »

Valtteri Bottas’s contract also comes to an end at the end of the 2021 season. However, Toto Wolff plans to offer the Finnish driver the opportunity to prove that he deserves to keep his place for the next season, although other young potential drivers are being evaluated by Mercedes.

Valtteri remains our driver, and I will always be loyal to both of our drivers, without dwelling on the future,” he said.

But we all have the obligation, how should I say, to develop plans. And in this regard, we must consider all options for the two cars. As we have two junior Mercedes with Esteban [Ocon] and George [Russell], they play a certain role. And we also keep an eye on other young drivers who are becoming strong. That being said, today there are only two drivers that I admire and they are Valtteri and Lewis.

« We have an eye on the other young people who are becoming strong »

Although much attention is focused on the identity of Hamilton’s future heir at Mercedes, Wolff seems keen to remind that the Briton is essential to the team.

« Lewis has been with Mercedes forever. He is an integral part of the team today. He contributes to the team’s performance, and he is the most visible of all the people working in the team and plays a fundamental role in our success. He drives the car, he is the last line of attack, along with Valtteri. And that’s why he is essential for us today. » he declared.

« It is essential for us today »