Toto Wolff quizzed on Charles Leclerc approach to replace Hamilton or Russell

Charles Leclerc has been linked with a move to Mercedes Toto Wolff has addressed the speculation linking Charles Leclerc with a switch to Mercedes, claiming that he never considered approaching the Monegasque driver during this summer’s game of contractual cat and mouse. Leclerc became wrapped up in the speculation surrounding Hamilton’s future at Mercedes after news emerged that Ferrari were weighing up a move to bring the seven-time world champion to Maranello for the 2024 campaign. According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Italian manufacturer was willing to offer Hamilton £40million per season to join their project with one of the options facing the team being to send Leclerc the other way as part of a swap deal. When asked whether he considered signing Leclerc for 2024 during the contract saga by Martin Brundle, Wolff responded: ‘No because, you know, I’ve always said if I’m renewing I don’t want to flirt outside if I have a good relationship, and only when I see that things are not going in the right direction, then I would test the markets. But I didn’t do it.’ Wolff has maintained throughout the summer that Hamilton’s new deal has been a matter of ironing out some minor wrinkles, claiming that the two parties were both on the same page and that there was no real risk of a split. Despite the links to Mercedes, Leclerc remained committed to Ferrari and regularly reiterated his desire to stay and win championships with the team. Discussing the potential for a switch to the Silver Arrows, he said: ‘No, not yet, not for the moment. ‘For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari. I fully trust and I am confident for the future, then we will see, but I am fully confident for the project of Ferrari. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Toto Wolff has revealed that he never considered Leclerc for Mercedes