Toto Wolff insists Mercedes are keeping their 'options open' amid speculation a returning Sebastian Vettel could replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows next season

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff refused to rule out the prospect of Sebastian Vettel replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season, saying the four-time world champion is ‘someone you can never discount.’

Vettel walked away from the sport in 2022 after 15 years in the cockpit but has opened the door to a shock return to the track in recent interviews.

The German, 36, claimed he had been speaking to Wolff, who is on the hunt for a driver to partner George Russell at Mercedes for the 2025 season following Hamilton’s shock departure for Ferrari.

Hamilton himself appeared to endorse Vettel as his successor yesterday, saying he would ‘love’ to see the former Red Bull driver back on the grid.

And while Wolff made it abundantly clear that the Silver Arrows won’t rush the process of finding Hamilton’s replacement, he conceded that he does have a shortlist in mind.

‘Sebastian is someone you can never discount. His track record is phenomenal and sometimes taking a break is also good. It’s what important for you and you find your motivation,’ said Wolff.

‘As I said before, we haven’t taken a decision yet and it’s not something we plan to do in the next few weeks.

‘I know the driver market is very dynamic, some of the really good guys are about to sign for some of the other teams.

‘We want to continue to have these discussions and keep the options open. But at this stage I think it’s much too early for us to commit to a driver whether they’re young or experienced… I don’t want to say old.’

Wolff’s appearance in Suzuka comes as somewhat of a surprise given it was reported last month that he would miss this weekend’s race as part of a pre-agreed plan for the 2024 season which, at 24 races, is the biggest in the sport's history.

But after a torrid start to the season for Mercedes, their worst since 2012, it emerged earlier this week that Wolff had experienced a change of heart and instead wanted to be on the ground in Japan to help steer the team through their struggles.

He said: ‘I had planned not to come to Japan because there’s so much on back in Europe, things to do.

‘But then I felt not coming to Japan was the wrong choice. I think it’s important to be with the race team. It’s good to be close to the action. We’re experimenting with a few things and being part of the team really gives me energy and I hope the other way around too.’

Wolff also confirmed that the faulty power unit which caused Hamilton to retire early from the Australian Grand Prix is terminal. That means, after only three races, the Brit is already onto his second of four allocated power units for the season.

He said: 'That one is in the bin. It is a highly unusual failure we have but a failure we didn’t see coming before so you have to use that.

'It depends how the season develops whether we need one more or not. I can’t really say at this stage whether it will be needed or not.'