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Toto Wolff says Mercedes has a “pool of young drivers” ready to step in and drive for the team if circumstances ask for it.
The Formula 1 silly season for 2021 is in full effect. Young rising stars like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are two of just a few drivers that have already agreed on long-term contracts with their respective teams. However Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes they still retain options to get out of their contracts early if need be.
“I would be surprised if both of these young drivers have committed to their teams for five years and closed the door to everywhere else,” said Wolff.
“Contracts are often more complex than the media portrays.”
Although Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020, Wolff is not worried about the team’s future when it comes to drivers.
“As long as we have a fast car – because this is our first priority – we will always have a situation where we can choose who drives it,” explained Wolff.
“We have some juniors we rely on who have done a really good job, like George Russell who drove absolutely faultlessly at Williams and Esteban [Ocon] as well.
“So we have a pool of young drivers that we can access.”
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
