Multiple driver problem is a 'good problem', says Wolff

Toto Wolff has insisted that the prospect of trying to figure out who will feature in the two Formula One seats for Mercedes next season is a "good problem" to have, as the team look towards the future with contract expirations coming up and new talent coming through.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both have contracts which expire after the 2018 F1 season, while Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon has been impressing on loan at Force India, waiting for the call alongside Silver Arrows reserve driver, George Russell.

That puts at least four drivers in the frame for just two seats next year, but Wolff thinks it is a "good problem" to be solved.

"It is a good problem to have," Wolff told Autosport.

"We are very satisfied how Valtteri has been going these days, and [with] Lewis we don't need to talk about - he is the best of the current drivers in my opinion.

"Then you have these kids growing up, like Ocon and George. I am optimistic about the future Mercedes line-up.

Wolff provided an update on Hamilton's contract talks, but said there simply hasn't been time to sit down with his driver to talk due to the intense preparations for Formula One races.

"We haven't talked for a few days or few weeks because it was so intense getting our act together with the team and all our priority has been concentrated on that," he continued.

"But we are very aligned with what we expect from each other in the future and it is just finding time to sit down."

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With the contracts of Bottas and Hamilton currently unsigned, there have been a raft of drivers linked with a move to Mercedes including Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, but Wolff says they have not looked out with their own ranks for 2019 drivers.

"We are not looking at drivers outside Mercedes at the moment because we have to give support to our guys, that is the priority.

"It is like if you are happy with your wife, you don't look elsewhere! Give us a few more races and then I will have a better view."