Lewis Hamilton’s surprise announcement that he will be joining Ferrari in 2025 has had a major impact on the world of Formula 1. The anticipation surrounding the Hamilton-Ferrari partnership is palpable, as is the effect it will have on the team he is leaving and the driver who will replace him.
For Mercedes, this situation is strangely familiar. When Nico Rosberg shocked the team by retiring immediately after winning the world championship in 2016, Mercedes found itself with a highly sought-after seat that no one expected to be available. However, there are two key differences this time around. Firstly, the seat is not as valuable as it once was, with Red Bull now dominating the field. Secondly, there is more time to decide on a replacement, with many drivers currently out of contract and eager to join Mercedes.
In 2016, the driver market had already played out, leaving Mercedes with limited options for signing a new driver. They had to negotiate with Williams to secure Valtteri Bottas, who in turn needed Felipe Massa to come out of retirement. This time, only Max Verstappen, the Ferrari drivers, and the McLaren drivers are under contract. George Russell is also under contract with Mercedes, but there are 14 other drivers waiting for their next deal, making the pool of potential candidates for Hamilton’s replacement much larger.
Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, acknowledges that George Russell has the potential to be the next lead driver for the team. He sees Russell as part of the same generation as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, and believes that Russell would be an excellent choice to take over when Hamilton departs. Wolff emphasizes the importance of making the right decision for the second driver and is not in a rush to finalize the selection.
One potential option for Mercedes is Alex Albon, who has shown impressive performance during his time at Williams. Although Albon is currently under contract with Williams for 2025, there has been interest from Mercedes and Red Bull. James Vowles, Mercedes’ chief strategist, has hinted that an agreement could be reached.
Another strong contender for the Mercedes seat is Carlos Sainz. With over 100 race starts and experience driving for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, Sainz offers a solid all-round option for Mercedes. However, his history with Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso may make a seat swap with Hamilton unlikely.
Fernando Alonso is also a bold option that Wolff considers. Alonso has shown his skills at Aston Martin and has a strong relationship with Russell. Their partnership would be a compelling pairing of one of the best drivers with one of the most successful teams, similar to Hamilton and Ferrari.
Mercedes also has the option of considering young talent like Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, who has been part of the Mercedes set-up since a young age, has shown promise in karting and won two Formula 4 titles last year. His performance in Formula 2 will be closely watched, and a strong year could put him in contention for a Mercedes drive.
There are other options that Mercedes has connections to, such as reserve driver Mick Schumacher and former junior Esteban Ocon. The team has a wealth of knowledge about these drivers and their potential.
Carlos Sainz faces stiff competition for the Mercedes seat, despite his strong performance. He may have to wait for Mercedes to make a decision, or hope that Antonelli is not chosen so that a space opens up elsewhere.
In conclusion, the Mercedes seat is highly sought-after, and there are numerous candidates vying for the opportunity. Sainz is a strong contender, but other options like Albon, Alonso, and Antonelli are also being considered. Ultimately, it is up to the team to make the final decision and determine who will fill Hamilton’s shoes.