Mercedes has no position available for Carlos Sainz, according to Toto Wolff, who clearly stated that the Spaniard will not be considered to take over Lewis Hamilton's spot at Mercedes in the coming year.
Wolff, the co-owner and boss of the team, indicated in Montreal that the 2025 driver roster is nearly finalized. "We intend to focus on young drivers. We explained that to Carlos. We want to focus exclusively on Kimi Antonelli because our future depends on young people like him," Wolff emphasized, shutting down any ongoing rumors that Sainz, the soon-to-be former Ferrari driver, might join the team.
While George Russell's position for 2025 is confirmed, Wolff noted that negotiations with Russell's future teammate are still pending. "We haven't made a decision yet," Wolff shared with Sky Deutschland during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. "There are others that could also be of interest to us."
1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve speculated that Valtteri Bottas, a previous Mercedes driver, might be considered for a one-year deal in 2025—before the 17-year-old Antonelli is expected to step in. "They need a driver for one season," Villeneuve stated. "Someone who would agree to such a contract and who knows the team well. I think it could be Bottas."
Wolff also dismissed recent claims from a test event where it was rumored that Antonelli outperformed both Mick Schumacher and Russell in a 2022 Mercedes. "This is total nonsense," Wolff asserted. "All three had different programs, all three were very fast, but George was much faster than the other two because that's how it works."
