Mercedes not looking beyond its 'three wives' for 2019 - Wolff

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Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says the German outfit isn't currently looking beyond its basic foundation of three drivers for next year.

Unusually, the Silver Arrows has yet to contract a single driver for 2019 as discussions with Lewis Hamilton continue while a decision regarding Valtteri Bottas' future likely won't be taken until later in the season.

Paddock pundits have talked up Daniel Ricciardo's chances of leaving Red Bull and joining Mercedes, but Wolff suggest its line-up for 2019 will likely be formed from drivers it already has in its stable.

Wolff: Mercedes struggles delaying Hamilton contract talks

"We are not looking at drivers outside of Mercedes at the moment because, first of all, we need to give our support to our two guys, that’s the priority,” said the Austrian.

"It’s like if you’re happy with your wife, you don’t look elsewhere!

"We are with our two wives – or three [including Esteban Ocon] – and we are not looking at that.

"Give us a few more races, [let us] start the European season properly, go to Canada, and then the intense July, and I will have a better view."

In addition to Force India's Ocon, Mercedes also has reserve drivers Pascal Wehrlein and George Russell on its books.

The latter's current priority is winning this year's Formula 2 championship. Should he be successful, and in the probable event that he is barred from joining the Brackley squad in 2019, Russell could find a spot at Force India.

However, a Hamilton-Bottas status quo at Mercedes would likely entail an unchanged Perez-Ocon line-up at the Silverstone-based outfit.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.