Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has reportedly thrown a lifeline for Daniel Ricciardo at German team.

Earlier, Wolff dismissed claims that the Australian was being considered for 2019. He said: “If you’re happy with your wife, you don’t look at other women.”

By his statements, Wolff was referring to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. In the eventuality that they are replaced, Mercedes junior drivers Esteban Ocon or George Russell are first in line to get the nod.

Surprisingly, the Austrian responded to his earlier comments saying that his quotes were lost in translation.

“I only said that we are loyal first of all to our drivers. They are Lewis, Valtteri and the Mercedes young drivers. They come first.

“But if we were to look at others, Daniel is definitely among them.”

Currently, Red Bull driver Ricciardo is out of contract at the end of this season, along with many other drivers.

These comments aside, Wolff has insisted that Mercedes is relatively satisfied with both Hamilton and Bottas.

“Valtteri deserved to win in Baku and could even have won the last two.” “It is very balanced between him and Lewis at the moment.”

“Valtteri has very good cards in his hands,” Wolff added.

The F1 paddock are now heading to the principality of Monaco for the next race on the calendar.

Mercedes AMG Petronas go into the next couple of weeks with their heads held high. This is mostly because the Silver Arrows completed a dominating 1-2 in Barcelona on Sunday.

Ferrari and Red Bull are both hot on their heels and the battle between the 3 teams will be fierce.

Whose gamble will pay off the most in Monte Carlo? Will it be Mercedes or Ferrari or Red Bull? And will any of the other teams try and spring a surprise.