Toto Wolff says Mercedes needs to be “brave” when it comes to choosing a driver to replace Nico Rosberg next season.
Rosberg’s shock decision to retire from F1 with immediate effect off the back of winning his maiden drivers’ championship has left Mercedes with a difficult task to replace the German at short notice. Wolff admits the timing has left his team on the back foot but says it will need to commit to a decision even if it comes with a lot of risk.
“Clearly, with Nico taking the decision quite late we are in a bit of a compromised situation because if we had known three months ago there were more options available,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “Maybe we need to make a brave decision in the same way Nico has made a brave decision.”
While Pascal Wehrlein is seen as one option, Wolff has recently admitted he would like to see the German complete a year or two in a midfield team having had just one season in F1 racing with Manor.
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Another option is the more experienced Valtteri Bottas, but Wolff says he understands the importance of the Finn to Williams as he will lead the team alongside rookie Lance Stroll next season.
“Besides the personal relationship, where he’s a very likeable and intelligent driver, he’s also somebody who is very, very fast. But he’s with Williams now, the lead driver, and is very important for the combination with Lance Stroll. Claire [Williams] and her team very much rely on him.”
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