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Mercedes have confirmed that they will not name Nico Rosberg’s replacement until the New Year.
The German shocked the sport by announcing his retirement at the start of December, just days after winning his maiden world title.
The team quickly began the search for Lewis Hamilton’s next team-mate, with non-executive chairman Niki Lauda suggesting the process would be completed by Christmas.
But former world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have ruled themselves out of a move, and Sportsmail understands there are now just two names on the shortlist – Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein.
The former is viewed as more likely to help the Silver Arrows in their bid for a fourth straight constructors’ championship, after four solid seasons with Williams. But Mercedes have been frustrated in their attempts to prise the Finn from the Grove-based outfit.
A cut-price deal on the engines supplied by Mercedes and technical chief Paddy Lowe moving in the opposite direction remain possible.
However, Williams are concerned that losing Bottas would leave them short of experience, with 18-year-old Lance Stroll replacing veteran Felipe Massa for the 2017 season following the Brazilian’s retirement.
If an agreement for Bottas cannot be reached, Mercedes’ 22-year-old development driver Wehrlein will get the nod.
The German impressed in his rookie season with Manor last term, scoring his and the team’s first point in Austria, but is seen as a future star.
