Athletistic / Formula 1 Mercedes chief executive Toto Wolff has denied the team are planning to bring in Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, whose contract expires in 2023.

“It’s complete nonsense, we never called Sergio. He’s a great guy, I respect him, but we didn’t discuss these issues, like with any other driver.

Lewis and I have always wanted to work and get results together, even with such a weak start to the season. We have been talking for a few months about continued cooperation, perhaps for another five or ten years. All these rumors are not true,” Wolff said as quoted by It.motorsport.com.