Mercedes and Nico Rosberg not 'flirting' with F1 alternatives

Toto Wolff says Mercedes wants to continue with Nico Rosberg when his Formula 1 contract expires at the end of 2016 and neither party is "flirting" with alternatives

Rosberg is in his seventh season with team, having joined following its formation in 2010 when it took over Brawn GP.

The German made a strong start to 2016, winning the first four races and he currently has a 24-point lead in the drivers' championship.

Talks regarding an extension are ongoing but Wolff does not believe the situation is causing any problems while it remains unresolved.

"It is not a factor of instability," said Wolff. "We would like to continue in the same way with Nico.

"It's down to the detail in the contract, it's pretty normal negotiations.

"We're not flirting somewhere else and he's not flirting somewhere else.

"This is why it is not a distraction."

When asked if there was any particular hurdle that was delaying completion, Wolff said: "There is no hurdle.

"It's just a normal process that takes time in order to get everything down to the detail and sort it out."

Rosberg's team-mate Lewis Hamilton had a similarly protracted contract negotiation last year.

Mercedes announced a new three-year deal last May, which will keep him at the team until the end of the 2018 season.