Guenther Steiner has Toto Wolff’s plan to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes all figured out.

Mercedes have spent the season considering who to replace the outgoing Lewis Hamilton with and many are tipping young prospect Kimi Antonelli to be Toto Wolff’s pick.

Guenther Steiner is convinced that Kimi Antonelli will be at Mercedes next year as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

The Silver Arrows have known since the season began that their seven-time world champion would be leaving for Ferrari once this year was up. It left them needing to source a driver to race alongside George Russell, who will soon be seen as the team leader.

Antonelli is a top contender for the Mercedes seat due to his successful junior career and his connection with the German team.

Toto Wolff informed Steiner that he would need time to decide, a hint that the former Haas boss finds significant.

During an interview with the Red Flag podcast, Steiner expressed his belief that Carlos Sainz will ultimately join Alpine, ruling out the possibility of him going to Mercedes or Red Bull at the current moment.

He speculated that Kimi Antonelli could possibly be the next signing for Mercedes, acknowledging that it is just his intuition speaking.

“I had a conversation with Toto and we interviewed him for RTL German TV. He mentioned that he carefully considers his decisions, implying that taking time signifies confidence in one’s choices or having reached a mutual understanding.”

“Kimi Antonelli’s only possible replacements are Sainz or possibly Valtteri Bottas, as he previously held the position. No one else is considered a suitable replacement.”

Antonelli is currently ranked seventh in the F2 standings this season, securing victory in recent races at Silverstone and Budapest. He has prior experience with Mercedes and, due to limited alternatives in F1 for the Silver Arrows, it seems increasingly probable that the Italian will race for them.

Wolff admitted that the young driver will be a part of their future, stating earlier this season: “We have decided to take a new direction and reinvent ourselves a bit. Kimi Antonelli will definitely be involved in this.”

Carlos Sainz was one of the names associated with the Mercedes position since Hamilton will be moving to Ferrari. Although he has shown his ability to win races, the Spaniard has decided to go to Williams for the time being instead of rumors linking him to Audi.

Current reigning champion Max Verstappen is also being mentioned.

The Dutch racer may secure his fourth consecutive title soon, although there are rumors of internal problems at Red Bull. Verstappen might be considering a new opportunity, with some at Mercedes hinting at a potential move during this season.