Mercedes to make decision on 2020 drivers after summer break
F1 News
Toto Wolff has confirmed they'll be no news about the 2020 Mercedes driver line-up until after the summer break. Lewis Hamilton has a contract for the 2020 season, but Valtteri Bottas isn't tied down.
Esteban Ocon missed out on a seat last season after he was pushing out of Racing Point when the take over deal occurred. He's currently sitting in the Mercedes garage and breathing down Bottas' neck, but he has been linked with a move to Renault.
There's also rumours being thrown around that Max Verstappen is leaving Red Bull and Fernando Alonso is interested in a seat at Mercedes or Ferrari. Though there's probably a hint of 'silly season' starting with those two.
Last year, Mercedes fired early with their contract announcements. The Silver Arrows were all sorted way before Daniel Ricciardo made his shock move to Renault and the dealings with Ocon. This might have affected their plans for this season.
"We don't want to put pressure on ourselves to make the driver decision before the summer break," team boss Wolff told Speed Week.
"Esteban is arousing the interest of some teams. We don't want to give him up lightly. But if there is no chance of a place for him with us, we must let him go."
George Russell, also in the Mercedes junior team has a contract with Williams for the 2020 Formula 1 season.
"George has an ongoing contract with Williams for 2020, and I hope he helps to bring them forward," Wolff added.