Mercedes will NOT name new driver in 2016: Valtteri Bottas negotiations ongoing
MERCEDES will wait until at least January 3 to name their replacement for Nico Rosberg.
Mercedes are struggling to confirm their replacement for Nico Rosberg
Rosberg secured his maiden F1 World Drivers' Championship title last month, beating team-mate Lewis Hamilton by five points.
But the German, 31, then retired to leave Mercedes scrambling to replace him for the 2017 season with the leading drivers all contracted elsewhere.
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas then emerged as Mercedes' No 1 choice as they tabled an offer said to be around £5million in an effort to convince his employers to release him from his current contract.
But they too see Bottas as a big part of their plans next year, especially after the off-season departure of Felipe Massa, who has been replaced by F1 rookie Lance Stroll.