Toto Wolff: Mercedes will ‘take the necessary time’ to find new driver after Nico Rosberg’s shock F1 retirement

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that the team will ‘take the necessary time’ to find their replacement for Nico Rosberg.

The 31-year-old stunned motor racing on Friday by announcing his retirement from Formula One just days after winning the world title in Abu Dhabi.

And while Wolff was quick to praise the ‘brave decision’ made by Rosberg, the Mercedes chief insisted that it presented an exciting time for the team.

Wolff said: "With Mercedes, Nico has been a relentless competitor, bouncing back from tough times in an inspirational way, and he earned the respect of the sport with his tenacity, his fighting spirit and his grace under pressure.

"For the team, this is an unexpected situation but also an exciting one.

"We are going into a new era and there is a free Mercedes cockpit for the seasons ahead; we will take the necessary time to evaluate our options and then find the right path for our future."