Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named three-time Formula ONe world champion Max Verstappen his "number one pick" to replace Lewis Hamilton, who's leaving the German outfit and joining Ferrari in 2025.
“We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams, unless Max decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore," Wolff told Fox Sports Australia in an interview.
Asked directly if Verstappen is his number one pick, Wolff replied: “Yes. I mean, you see what his performance levels are. But I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too."
"There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from the very young super-talent to some of the older ones who are very experienced,” he added.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton shocked the F1 world in February as he announced he had decided to move to Ferrari in 2025, after spending more than a decade with Mercedes.
"As much as we were taken aback by Lewis’ decision so quickly, now I really want to take my time," Wolff said.
A decision on who will become George Russell's team-mate from next season is likely “towards the summer,” Wolff said, but making clear that “it’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or months or so; I want to continue to monitor the market.”
Verstappen and his Red Bull team have dominated the sport in the past two years, with the driver claiming three consecutive drivers' titles since 2021.
