Wolff questions future of Mercedes junior programme

Toto Wolff has questioned the future of the Mercedes young driver scheme, with the Mercedes boss struggling to find places in the sport for three of his drivers.

Esteban Ocon, who is currently driving at Force India, is contracted under Mercedes and it appears that the Frenchman is on the verge of losing his seat at the British side, with Lance Stroll rumoured to replace Ocon.

Renault were reportedly interested in signing Ocon, but they chose against the decision, due to his links with Mercedes causing any complications - and instead, opted with Daniel Ricciardo.

Mercedes also have George Russell and Pascal Wehrlein on their books - but with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton confirmed as the Silver Arrow's drivers next season - they simply don't have the vacancies.

"(We have) three talented kids with a lack of opportunities - and this has come to a point now where we need to decide what we do in the future," Wolff explained to Autosport.

"Funding a junior team is not an option. Putting $80m, $90m, $100m every year in a junior team just to give your young drivers a place is not what I would want to do.

"And on the other side, if the drivers are stigmatised as Mercedes drivers, then it seems to be not the best selling proposition.

"Being a racer at heart, I still feel the best talent needs to be supported and developed, and I hope we can find a solution for these guys.

"If we cannot find a solution for these guys then I would question the junior programme in the future. And then we go back to a pay driver model.

"If you can't find a place for them in F1 then it doesn't make a lot of sense, and that would be a shame in terms of the driver level in F1.

"I will discuss that with the board and the management at the end of the year depending what the outcome is for George, Pascal and Esteban."