Max Verstappen not the only Lewis Hamilton Mercedes replacement option as Totto Wolf outlines four man F1 wishlist

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has named Max Verstappen as his number one choice to replace Lewis Hamilton when he moves onto Formula 1 rivals Ferrari next year, but he's not the only contender.

The Austrian billionaire is hoping to prise three-time world champion Verstappen away from fellow F1 team Red Bull and was seen talking to the driver's father at the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month. In an interview in Melbourne with Fox Sports from Australia, Wolff talked about wanting to work with Verstappen one day. He said: “Yes, I mean, you see what his performance levels are. But I wouldn’t want to discount the other ones too. It's the kind of relationship that needs to happen at a certain stage. But we don't know when. I think we've got to look at ourselves and [ask] what is it we can do with this car.

Then it becomes much easier, whoever drives the second car, it's become much easier for George [Russell] because he has the potential of being a World Champion and so much more. It's the team's problem to solve really, rather than looking for a silver bullet with an amazing driver."

However, Wolff admits that he doesn't believe having Verstappen at the wheel right now would make any difference to the team's fortunes in the current F1 season, with Mercedes currently sitting 71 points behind leaders Red Bull in the team standings. "No, I think he's extraordinary, but we would give him a car that's a handful, and difficult to set up and drive," he said. "I'd rather make that step and be out there and say, 'This is a car you could drive because it's also going fast'."

Wolff, 52, says he was surprised by British star Hamilton's decision to move onto rivals Ferrari next season but also reveals that Mercedes have identified other