Speculation emerged in recent weeks that Leclerc was in talks with Mercedes as it ponders a possible replacement if Lewis Hamilton does not stay into next year.

But Leclerc himself denied there had been any contact with Mercedes or its boss Wolff – although he intriguingly added the word ‘yet’ at the end of his sentence.

Speaking at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Wolff himself also rubbished suggestions that dialogue had opened between the team and the Monegasque driver. However, he said it would be foolish of the squad to ignore Leclerc as an option for the longer term.

“Charles is a super guy and, for the long-term future, someone you need to always have on your radar. And that's clear. But not for the short and the medium term.”

Wolff explained that the only time he had personally s

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