Mercedes is🦹 considering a link-up with a smaller Formula 1 team after being impressed by the approach taken by Ferrari via its relationships with Haas and Sauber, according🌱 to team boss Toto Wolff.

Ferrari has worked closely with Haas a technical partner since the American team’s F1 debut in 2016, and will enjoyed an expanded relationship with Sauber from this seaౠson onwards.

Sauber will race in 2018 with title sponsorship from Ferrari's sister🐻 brand, Alfa Romeo, as well as fielding one of its junior drive♏rs, Charles Leclerc, in a race seat.

, Wolff acknowledged the strength and appeal of a tie-up with another F1 team, and confirmed that early discussions we💞re taking place.

“I ܫtꦆhink what Sergio Marchionne and Maurizio [Arrivabene] are doing is very clever,” Wolff said.

”They've had a🅰 good relationship with Haas. That has helped Haas and helped Ferrari and what they are doing now wit🧜h Sauber is very visionary.

“With Fred [Vasseur, Saub🐼er boss] he has a team principal on the other side who knows the business inside out, and it can be a🉐n alliance that can be dangerous for us.

“It's something that we are considering. It's not easy because 𒊎you don't want to distract your own organisation with a collaboration with another team on the other side.

“We are not the only ones who are having intelligent ideas. We are having di🐠scussions but nothing is done yet.”

Mercedes currently has three junior drivers on its books, with Esteban Ocon being its leading youngster, racing for the Force India team which enjoys an engine suppl💃y from the German manufactu🌱rer.

Pascal Wehrlein is facing a stint outside of F1 after losing his seat at Sauber, partly thanks to the Ferrari deal, while GP3 champion George Russell (pi👍ctured above) impressed in his first three F1 run-outs through 2017.