Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff has stated that he is not in a hurry to determine who will fill the vacancy left by Lewis Hamilton, who will be joining Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton’s decision to activate a break clause in his contract has opened up an opportunity for George Russell to join the Mercedes lineup. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris have recently signed contract extensions, while Max Verstappen is committed to Red Bull until 2028. However, speculation about Verstappen’s future has arisen following an investigation into allegations against Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. Although Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing, Verstappen’s father Jos has suggested that his presence could cause division within the team. Jos Verstappen was seen speaking with Wolff at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and there are rumors that they had dinner together earlier in the race weekend. Despite this, Wolff acknowledges that signing Verstappen is unlikely given Mercedes’ significant time deficit to Red Bull in the season opener. When asked about the possibility of Mercedes pursuing Verstappen, Wolff stated that drivers will always choose the fastest car. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has also indicated that he will not stand in Verstappen’s way if he decides to leave the team. The situation with Red Bull is still evolving, and it seems improbable that Verstappen would choose to leave the team that currently dominates Formula 1. Wolff had previously mentioned that Mercedes is open to considering a range of options, from experienced drivers to up-and-coming talents. The only current World Champion available for 2025 is Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, while Carlos Sainz, who will be replacing Hamilton at Ferrari, could also be a potential candidate. However, there is also speculation that Mercedes prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who recently made the jump from FRECA to Formula 2, could be a surprise choice for promotion. Antonelli, a 17-year-old Italian, had a difficult debut in Formula 2, with his team, Prema, finishing 17th and 18th in the race weekend and scoring only one point. Wolff acknowledged the team’s disappointing performance and stated that they are not in a rush to make a decision on drivers, as they will be observing the upcoming races.
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