With the summer break on, the crazy rumour season has only intensified and Red Bull struck first. The other piece of news that everybody is waiting for is the future of Valtteri Bottas. However, looking further ahead, to 2021, to be exact, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted that anything is possible in Formula 1. He even said that Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton swapping seats is a possibility.
The current headache though, is choosing between Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon to partner reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton next season.
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However, the following year sees many contracts expiring and the driver market will get very interesting. Understandably, Vettel has come under a lot of scrutiny for a multitude of mistakes over the past year. In spite of all his mishaps, Toto Wolff is of the opinion that the German is still a quality driver.
“You don’t become a four-time world champion by chance,” Wolff told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Sebastian is and remains a pillar of this Ferrari. Then what he will do in 2021 I don’t know. Everything is open after 2020.”
The Italian publication even suggested that Hamilton could go to Ferrari in the future. However, Wolff refuted that idea and re-affirmed Hamilton’s commitment.
“Hamilton is comfortable at Mercedes: he trusts us and we trust him,” he declared. “Having said that, Ferrari is a myth and sometimes an irrational dream for drivers. It is a strong brand which is appeals not only to drivers.”
A more likely target for the German manufacturer is believed to be Max Verstappen, although should they choose Ocon for 2020 that route appears much less likely.
Still, Toto wouldn’t rule anything out.
“We are talking too far ahead, we are fighting for the 2019 title and planning for 2020,” he said.
There was one driver he claimed wouldn’t get a seat at Mercedes while ever Hamilton was present, however, Fernando Alonso.
“We don’t want to repeat certain stories lived when the two were together with McLaren,” Wolff stated.
