This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the 2020 Formula 1 season comes to a close, Mercedes' parent company Daimler has yet to commit to the project beyond the end of the year.
With Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both out of contract at the end of the season, speculation continues to surround the Silver Arrows. Some in the Formula 1 community have expressed a desire to see Sebastian Vettel join Mercedes next year, and Daimler is reportedly 'pushing hard' to make that happen following his impending Ferrari exit.
However, Mercedes appear to be taking a cautious approach, waiting until the on-track action returns in July to act as a catalyst for confirming their future plans.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained, 'We are loyal to our current drivers and we don’t want to start the talks at a time when the season hasn’t even started.'
Wolff also expressed his admiration for Vettel, stating, 'The Vettel idea would be fantastic from a German point of view, but we must remain true to our principles. Loyalty is important and one of our values.'
Wolff's own future at Mercedes is also uncertain, with his contract set to expire at the end of 2020. He has stated that he is discussing his role as team boss and shareholder with the company.
