Ever since Lewis Hamilton announced he would leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari, questions have been raised over which seat he will leave vacant. Subsequently, there is also a lack of clarity over the future of Carlos Sainz Jr., whose place Hamilton will take on the 2025 grid.
If that wasn’t enough speculation and drama, Red Bull’s recent controversies off the track have created doubts about reigning champion Max Verstappen’s future, not only in the team but in the sport itself – even.
Who can replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?
The Mercedes boss had named Max Verstappen as his “number one choice” during an interview with Fox Sports Australia. However, he stressed, they had more options and would not rush into the decision.
“You know, even though we were surprised by Lewis’ decision so quickly, now I really want to take my time,” he said.
“We have a free place, the only one in the best teams, unless Max decides to leave, then the place will no longer be free with us. There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from very young super-talents to older ones who are very experienced.
Wolff said a decision would likely be made “around the summer,” making clear that “it will not happen in the next few weeks or months; I want to continue to monitor the market.”
At the Japanese Grand Prix, he reiterated that the decision was not made in a dynamic market where many drivers are out of contract at the end of the season. “We haven’t made a decision yet.
“This is not something we plan to do in the next few weeks. The driver market is very dynamic, they are about to sign some of the really good guys to other teams. We want to continue these discussions and keep our options open.
“But at this stage I think it’s way too early to commit to any driver whether they’re very young or very experienced – I don’t mean old, very experienced. The next few months will give us more clues.
In Melbourne, asked if the Silver Arrow could reach out to a young prospect, such as junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Wolff opened up further. “I don’t know yet,” he said, after also being asked how Mercedes’ George Russell would perform in the 2024 season. “I think it also depends on what Max does.
“We have a very promising young child. I don’t want to put more pressure on him, but it looks like he could be one of the best. But we also don’t want to drown him by jumping into an F1 car so quickly, he’s 17.
“There are a few options we could play with him. There’s obviously Fernando (Alonso), who is very exciting, Carlos (Sainz), very good, so there are a few.
Mercedes missed out on signing Verstappen when he was a junior. Now is the team’s opportunity to come full circle. But Wolff maintained it wasn’t easy.
“We have to look at ourselves and ask ourselves, ‘What can we do with this car?’, then it becomes a lot easier, no matter who drives the second car, it becomes a lot easier for George , because he has the potential to be a world champion.
“It’s much more the team’s problem to solve (the current lack of performance) than really looking for a miracle solution with an incredible driver.”
Mercedes confirmed @feeder_series that Kimi Antonelli will test a Formula 1 car for the first time at the Red Bull Ring later this month!
He will drive the Mercedes W12. pic.twitter.com/GyYrSF17nF
– Updates from Kimi Antonelli 🇮🇹 (@AndreaKimiNews) April 2, 2024
According to British media, 17-year-old Antonelli is Mercedes’ long-term choice. But the age factor could play a role in his arrival now. Not to mention that he has only just started in Formula 2.
“He’s been our young boy for a long time and we can’t wait to see what he can do in a Formula 1 car,” Wolff said of the young Italian.
Antonelli would get the chance to get into the 2021 Mercedes W12 to try and impress the team. He is scheduled to test the Formula 1 machines at the Red Bull Ring on April 16-17.
Ahead of the Japanese GP, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel suggested he could come out of retirement after being in talks with Wolff.
“I’m talking to Toto. I don’t know if it fits Mercedes, but about other things,” Vettel, who retires in 2022, told Sky Sports News.
“I talk to a lot of people because I know them, but not in a very specific way. I mean, obviously it crosses my mind, I think about it, but it’s not the main thought,” added the 36-year-old German.
“I have three kids at home, it’s busy every day, so I have a lot of other thoughts. I have ideas.
“Events I’m planning in the future, so I’ve also spoken to many other team principals, and not just about racing. There are thoughts, but nothing concrete at the moment.
The German driver, who won his titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, benefited from the support of Hamilton and Wolff.
“Sebastian is someone you can never overlook,” Wolff said. “His track record is phenomenal. Sometimes taking a break is also a good thing to reevaluate what is important to you and regain your motivation.
Hamilton, meanwhile, said: “I think he would be an incredible option for the team,” Hamilton said. “A German driver, a multi-world champion driver and someone who has incredible values who can continue to move this team forward. I would love for him to come back.
Vettel’s potential return has also been welcomed by George Russell, who will remain at Mercedes.
“Sebastian is a great person and he’s a four-time world champion,” Russell said.
“Of course his personality is missing on the grid and I think it is important that we have the best 20 drivers in the world, all competing for race wins and championships.”
Russell added that he was “really happy and open to having anyone” as a teammate.
“Whether it’s a world champion or a rookie, it doesn’t change the way I go about my business,” he said.
Where is Carlos Sainz going?
Carlos Sainz will be without a team, with Hamilton joining Ferrari. The Spaniard, winner of the Australian Grand Prix, has not yet signed an agreement but wants his future to be resolved “as soon as possible”.
Sainz said he had spoken to “almost all” of the Formula 1 teams and wanted to resolve his future quickly.
“It’s about getting into more detail and seeing what are the most realistic options and what are the best options for me and my future,” he said.
“I have no news for you or anything to say here today.
“The only thing I would say is that now is the time to speed up everything a little bit and hopefully we can sort this out as soon as possible.”
What is happening to Max Verstappen?
Despite being Wolff’s first choice, three-time world champion Max Verstappen has repeatedly said he could leave the sport when his Red Bull contract expires in 2028, but insisted he was ” very happy” within the team.
The Dutchman won the first two races of the season but endured weeks of off-track turbulence at all-conquering Red Bull.
He suggested last month in Saudi Arabia that he would consider leaving if the team parted ways with his longtime mentor, Helmut Marko.
This followed his father Jos saying Red Bull risked being “torn apart” if team boss Christian Horner remained in his job.
“I’m very happy where I am and we want to keep it that way,” he said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
But the 26-year-old was less sure when talking about his future after Red Bull.
“I have a contract with Red Bull until ’28. After that I first want to see if I even want to continue,” he said.
“That’s the most important thing for me – it’s not so much the location. Those kinds of things I don’t really think about at the moment.
