Mercedes will not name Nico Rosberg's successor until New Year as choice narrows to Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein
- Mercedes have narrowed their new driver search to Bottas and Wehrlein
- But no decision on identity of Rosberg's replacement will be made until 2017
- Mercedes have been frustrated in their attempts to prise Bottas from Williams
- Wehrlein impressed on his debut season with Manor during 2016
Mercedes have confirmed that they will not name Nico Rosberg’s replacement until the New Year.
The German shocked the sport by announcing his retirement at the start of December, just days after winning his maiden world title.
The team quickly began the search for Lewis Hamilton’s next team-mate, with non-executive chairman Niki Lauda suggesting the process would be completed by Christmas.
Mercedes will not name their replacement to the retired world champion Nico Rosberg until the New Year as they narrow their choice to Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein
The German stunned Formula One by announcing his retirement after securing the title
The new appointment will partner British driver Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes team
But former world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have ruled themselves out of a move, and Sportsmail understands there are now just two names on the shortlist – Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein.
The former is viewed as more likely to help the Silver Arrows in their bid for a fourth straight constructors’ championship, after four solid seasons with Williams. But Mercedes have been frustrated in their attempts to prise the Finn from the Grove-based outfit.
A cut-price deal on the engines supplied by Mercedes and technical chief Paddy Lowe moving in the opposite direction remain possible.
Valtteri Bottas (right), pictured with Rosberg, is tipped to be his successor
Pascal Wehrlein (middle), pictured with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg last year, is the other name in the frame to replace the world champion
However, Williams are concerned that losing Bottas would leave them short of experience, with 18-year-old Lance Stroll replacing veteran Felipe Massa for the 2017 season following the Brazilian’s retirement.
If an agreement for Bottas cannot be reached, Mercedes’ 22-year-old development driver Wehrlein will get the nod.
The German impressed in his rookie season with Manor last term, scoring his and the team’s first point in Austria, but is seen as a future star.
Most watched Sport videos
- Blaise Matuidi and team welcome Julian Draxler to Paris
- Arsene Wenger credits Preston performance after 2-1 win
- Manchester United 4 Reading 0: Jose Mourinho gives his verdict
- Manchester United player Morgan Schneiderlin seen training hard!
- Barcelona stars Messi and Suarez perform unique press-ups
- Virtual tour of Tottenham Hotspur's incredible new ground
- Jose Semedo disagrees and thinks Ronaldo will return to the PL
- Semedo: Cristiano Ronaldo WILL return to the Premier League
- A look at the history of Halloween in 100 seconds
- Zlatan strikes! Swede scarpers after spoiling Mhkitaryan's moment
- Jaap Stam's reaction to 4-0 loss to Manchester United
- West Ham 0-5 Man City: Guardiola's post match press conference
- Sure you don't want to keep this one, Wayne? Rooney appears...
- Jose Mourinho reveals half time team talk to Marcus Rashford...
- Transfer news LATEST: LIVE Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and...
- The day Jose Semedo's mate Cristiano Ronaldo turned the joke...
- Chelsea recall Nathan Ake from his loan spell at Bournemouth...
- Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin enjoys...
- Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough, FA Cup RESULT: Antonio Conte's men...
- Awkward fist-bumps, Mauricio Pochettino's fluorescent boots...
- Mesut Ozil: 'I want to know Arsene Wenger's future before I...
- Liverpool 0-0 Plymouth, FA Cup RESULT: League Two side earn...
- Memphis Depay could still have a future at Manchester...
- Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough: Pedro nets a brace to kill off the...