Lewis Hamilton replacement plan revealed with Toto Wolff arrangement already in place

Lewis Hamilton's immediate future in F1 remains uncertain, but Toto Wolff has been working on finding his ideal replacement for several years. The British racing superstar was said to have grown "disillusioned" with the sport after the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

He's yet to speak publicly ever since with growing concerns Hamilton could walk away.

Hamilton still has two years left on his Mercedes contract, but Wolff recently refused to rule out the possibility of Mercedes needing to find a replacement.

"I really hope we see him again," Mercedes chief Wolff told Kronen Zeitung. "It would be a disgrace for the whole of F1 if the best driver decided to retire because of outrageous decisions."

He added: "No matter what obstacle has been thrown at him, he has known all his life that he has to doing his talking on the track.

"But it is incredibly difficult for him, until he has found a way between understanding what is right and what is wrong. That just takes time."

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It's been suggested that the results of the FIA inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may well determine Hamilton's final decision.

But it's far from the first time Hamilton has faced questions on his future in F1.

After winning the title in 2017, Hamilton was entering the final year of his former contract at Mercedes.

Pundits and former drivers at the time speculated on whether Hamilton would look to end his career that following season.

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Wolff faced regular questions on the matter and at one stage gave a clear indication that working on Hamilton's replacement has been years in the making.

"We are trying to keep our eyes open to identify the next Lewis