Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that Max Verstappen will be on the Silver Arrows' radar in the future. However, he insists, the team will first talk with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to establish the picture. Hamilton may decide to retire after a record-breaking eighth title while team-mate Bottas' contract also expires at the same time. And Red Bull's Verstappen has also been touted as a replacement for Hamilton. "The symbiosis that we have in the relationship, it's always that we have a mutual understanding of what we want to do in the future," Wolff said after the launch of Mercedes' W12 2021 car. "And that will be also the case in the discussions with Lewis going forward. Max is certainly an outstanding young driver that will be on everybody's radar in the future. But we are not flirting outside before we have a clear understanding with our two drivers." Hamilton meanwhile says winning an eighth title will not define his decision. He said: "I don't want that [winning an eighth title] to be the deciding factor. I got into racing because I loved racing, and I think that's always got to be at the core of what I do. If all you're going for is titles, I feel like I could potentially lose my way. "Of course it's the ultimate dream, but I don't necessarily think that will be the one deciding factor for if I stay or keep going. I'm fully invested in this season and delivering, I still love what I do. I'm in that fortunate position I don't have to commit to multiple years. "So I chose to have a one-year deal so that I could see how the year goes, and where we're at mid-year, or towards the end of the year. Who knows if we're still in a pandemic, but it doesn't mean I'm not committed, I'm still very committed to the sport."
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