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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed to Sky Germany that the team would not sign Carlos Sainz to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

Instead, Wolff said the team will focus on 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently driving in Formula 2.

“We just want to focus on Kimi, this is our future, the young drivers,” Wolff said. “We want to focus on this, on young drivers. This is what we told Carlos."

Antonelli is widely considered one of the sport's top prospects. He jumped from F4 to F2 this season and is sixth in the drivers' standings. Antonelli and Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher recently tested for the team at Imola and Silverstone and reportedly made a good impression. However, Wolff rebuffed more sensational reports about Antonelli's performance.

“Both (Kimi and Mick) completed the program we gave them, and the performances were exactly what we expected," Wolff said. “Some claims that Kimi was faster than George and much faster than Mick are absolutely nonsense. All three led with different agendas. All three were equally fast. George was by far the fastest and that's how he should be, but we executed our plans. It wasn't about setting fast times."

Sainz admitted this week that driving for a top team next year is no longer an option after Sergio Pérez re-signed with Red Bull. Williams and Sauber remain the most likely suitors.