Wolff addresses Schumacher and Verstappen in Mercedes seat update

Toto Wolff has provided further information on his thinking with regards to Lewis Hamilton's soon-to-be vacant seat at Mercedes.

The 52-year-old contended that Mick Schumacher "deserves" a drive, but did not suggest he is part of the equation when it comes to finding a new team-mate for George Russell.

He covered Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes junior and highly-touted protege, who has been linked with the Mercedes seat since before the start of the season. 

Wolff sang the 17-year-old's praises after what he called a "statement" drive in the F2 feature race at the Hungaroring.

The Austrian did, however, rule Mercedes sim driver Frederik Vesti out of the running, before turning his attention to Schumacher. The German is also in the picture to partner Pierre Gasly at Alpine next season.

"When it comes to Fred [Frederik Vesti], he's done the job, but there's just no opportunity in Formula 1 at the moment," the Mercedes team principal told media including RacingNews365.

"And he will be a professional racing driver that drives on a high level, whether it's endurance or elsewhere - and he's a top guy on top of that. 

"I couldn't say a bad word about Mick [Schumacher], either. Both of them are doing a great job for the team, keep supporting us in the simulator. 

"They're a little bit the unsung heroes, also, because you don't see them, but they spent the nights from Friday to Saturday in the simulator doing that work. And Mick also deserves a seat, I really liked that we have him [as] part of the family."

Wolff focused on Mercedes drivers

The other big name Wolff is known to be keen on securing is Red Bull driver and three-time drivers' champion Max Verstappen.

The 52-year-old has made no attempt to hide his admiration for the Dutchman, courting his services in a prolonged and public manner throughout the current season. Wolff said earlier in the year that he feels Verstappen and Mercedes is a partnership that needs to happen at some point.

However, when speaking after the Hungarian Grand Prix, which yielded a podium finish for Lewis Hamilton and an eight-place result for George Russell, he refused to be drawn on any links to the 26-year-old, instead wanting to focus on his own drivers.

"[I will] take a decision on the drivers later in the year, when all the dust settles - what is best for Mercedes," he said when asked about Verstappen.

"I can't look too much left what's happening in Red Bull... I want to concentrate on us, and us means Kimi [Andrea Kimi Antonelli] today in F2, and our two drivers in F1."