The five drivers who could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after shock Ferrari move
The 2024 season hasn't even begun yet, however we've already had the most important Formula One news story of the yr – if not of the final decade.
On Thursday – out of nowhere – it was introduced that Sir Lewis Hamilton might be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, bringing his 11-year tenure with the group to an finish.
With six drivers' titles and 82 wins, Hamilton and Mercedes is probably the most successful partnership in the long-history of the sport, and the Silver Arrows now face the very troublesome activity of replacing the British sporting legend.
Virtually each driver on the grid (and past) might be gunning for the seat alongside George Russell, so Metro Sport have taken a take a look at the five probably to be in the operating:
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari means Carlos Sainz is now out of a drive for 2025. The Spaniard joined the Scuderia in 2021 and had been hoping to extend his stay with them.
The two-time race winner could be very highly-regarded and reportedly the No.1 goal for Audi who're set to takeover the Sauber workforce in 2026. But a driver of his experience and talent is deserving of a group on the entrance of the grid.
As a quickly to be free agent, the 29-year-old would definitely be a simple signing, though he might need a guarantee of being the No.1 driver, one thing that Mercedes won't give him.
Alex Albon
Alex Albon's first expertise of driving for a number one group didn't go very nicely as he appeared out of depth in comparison with Max Verstappen at Purple Bull, however in equity to the Thai racer that was very early in his career.
Two years of dragging Williams far larger up the grid then they belong have proven that the 27-year-old has the standard and consistency for an additional shot at the massive time.
It is stated that Albon is underneath contract at Williams till the top of 2025, but he's keen to leave and advance up the grid.
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon was a Mercedes junior and nonetheless has Toto Wolff as his supervisor. Consequently, he was all the time linked with partnering Hamilton but the timing was never right – so might he now substitute him?
Perhaps probably the most inconsistent driver on the grid, the 27-year-old is a grand prix winner and even beat two-time champion Fernando Alonso while they have been teammates at Alpine, but his temperament on monitor leaves much to be desired.
The Frenchman has had friction with almost all his teammates – including Alonso, Sergio Perez and at present Pierre Gasly – and the last thing Wolff will want is one other poisonous surroundings after what went down between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Lando Norris
Bar Hamilton and Verstappen, Lando Norris is probably one of the best driver on the grid and will certainly be a world champion in the future. He is the apparent selection.
His probabilities of shifting to Mercedes aren't so excessive nevertheless. For one, the 24-year-old has literally just signed a brand new cope with McLaren that may maintain him there until a minimum of 2026. He is fiercely loyal and decided to win races – and titles – with the workforce he's pushed for his whole profession.
If McLaren proceed their upwards trajectory, they'll be little purpose for him to go away. Mercedes should pay a substantial quantity to purchase out his contract and convince him they've the higher undertaking. Not inconceivable, however not too possible.
Frederik Vesti
It's rare for a rookie to enter F1 with one of many frontrunners, but there's numerous hype surrounding Frederik Vesti. The Mercedes junior driver took part in two practice sessions for the team last season and shall be hoping to make the leap to the top of motorsport in the near-future.
The 22-year-old Dane was runner-up in Formulation 2 in 2023, and might be racing in European Le Mans Collection this yr. It'd be a danger throwing him in the deep finish, however as Hamilton proved all these years ago, in case you're ok, you're old enough.
Vesti will definitely be thought-about, as will fellow Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli who has skipped Method three to race in F2 on the tender age of simply 17. Whether the teenager will truly be allowed to race in F1 resulting from his inexperience stays to be seen.
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