Toto Wolff ends the soap opera: This will be the driver who replaces Hamilton

Rumors that are getting louder in the paddock have just been confirmed. Toto Wolfftechnical director of the group mercedeshe seems to have decided who will be the driver to replace the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamiltonalthough the German team still does not want to confirm anything.

“Our two drivers will have the full support of the team in 2025. I hope everything goes well george and Kimi next year.” This is how Wolff explained, seemingly by accident, the couple who will form Mercedes next season, according to Dutch media ‘The Telegraaf’.”We will soon officially confirm who will occupy the second seatas George’s teammate.” Both drivers have full support, 100%. I will enter the 2025 season with two drivers who we will give every opportunity to perform. That’s why I don’t want to talk about the driver lineup for 2026 yet.” he explained.

In ‘confirmation’ of Kimi Antonelli as second Mercedes driver, Toto Wolff took out Max Verstappen for next season, but open the doors to 2026. “We made a decision for 2025 and we hope that is also the alignment for 2026. But That doesn’t automatically mean the door is closed for Max in 2026 or later. We still want to keep all options openthe same way he does. Max is the obvious candidate or even the best possible candidate. “Now we have two drivers and the whole team is behind them,” he concluded.

Only two seats left to be confirmed

Following this morning’s signing of Jack Doohan of the group Alpine and Toto Wolff’s statements confirming Kimi Antonelli For next year, there are only two vacant seats left. One is the team chair Sauberthat after the end of the contract Bottas and Zhouthey are still looking for a second pilot to join the confirmed one Nico Hulkenberg. The other seat is Daniel Ricciardo in RBwith everyone suggesting he would leave his place for the young New Zealander Liam Lawson accompanied by Yuki Tsunoda.