Lewis Hamilton has disclosed his advice for his substitute at Mercedes, as the choice on who will associate George Russell subsequent season stays undecided.
Earlier than the present marketing campaign commenced, the seven-time F1 champion affirmed his transfer to Ferrari for the upcoming yr, concluding a exceptional 12-season tenure with Mercedes, marked by six championship titles and eight constructors’ championships.
Hypothesis about potential successors to Hamilton has circulated amongst varied drivers on the F1 grid, together with Alexander Albon, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and even Max Verstappen.
Amongst these contenders, Verstappen, the Purple Bull driver, has emerged as a outstanding candidate. Nevertheless, latest developments have seen Albon and Alonso securing contracts with Williams and Aston Martin, respectively.
Regardless of Verstappen‘s present contract with Purple Bull till 2028, rumors linking him to Mercedes have intensified.
Studies counsel that considerations about Adrian Newey’s departure and uncertainties surrounding the crew’s competitiveness post-2026 laws are elements influencing Verstappen’s purported curiosity in a transfer.
Contrarily, Hamilton advocates for a closer-to-home answer, suggesting Mercedes take into account selling a junior driver from inside their ranks. He particularly talked about Kimi (Andrea Antonelli), a present F2 driver, as a viable candidate for the function.
In Hamilton’s personal phrases, “Truthfully, I don’t know what Toto’s plans are, however I believe for me, taking over the teenager. If it had been my job, my function, I’d tackle Kimi [Andrea Antonelli].”
It’s extensively speculated that Mercedes’ decisions for the upcoming season boil all the way down to Sainz and Antonelli. Rumors swirl across the Spaniard, who contemplates his future amidst purported curiosity from Mercedes, whereas Antonelli can also be linked to a possible F1 debut with Williams, echoing Russell’s trajectory.
Studies counsel that Mercedes has prolonged a one-year contract supply to Sainz, with an possibility for a second season. Nevertheless, it’s understood that the 29-year-old seeks higher contractual safety, preferring a two-plus-one association.
Hamilton’s shift to Ferrari, alongside Charles Leclerc’s long-term dedication, successfully displaced Sainz from the Scuderia, prompting him to pursue alternatives for 2025.
Consequently, hypothesis a couple of potential transfer to Audi has intensified. Regardless of purported curiosity from Mercedes, a transition to Stake F1, alongside Nico Hulkenberg, seems probably the most possible state of affairs.
Outgoing Mercedes driver Hamilton believes in Sainz’s capabilities, no matter his subsequent vacation spot. “I believe Carlos [Sainz] is a superb driver, so I believe wherever he goes, I believe he can be a optimistic for any crew,” remarked the 39-year-old.
