Lewis Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari in 2025 has had a major impact on Formula 1. The anticipation surrounding Hamilton’s partnership with Ferrari next year is immense, and it also raises questions about the team he is leaving and the driver who will replace him.
For Mercedes, this situation is oddly familiar. When Nico Rosberg retired immediately after winning the world championship in 2016, it left Mercedes 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 having the best car. Secondly, there is more time to decide on a replacement, as there are many drivers out of contract and potentially available to join Mercedes.
In 2016, most of the driver market had already been settled, leaving Mercedes with limited options. They had to negotiate with Williams to secure Valtteri Bottas, who in turn had to convince Felipe Massa to come out of retirement. This time, only Max Verstappen and the Ferrari and McLaren drivers are under contract. George Russell is also under contract with Mercedes, but there are 14 other drivers waiting for their next deal. This means there are numerous potential candidates to replace Hamilton.
Among these candidates are drivers of varying types, and Toto Wolff is excited to determine the right direction to take alongside Russell. Wolff believes that Russell has the potential to be the next team leader and is confident in his abilities. Mercedes just needs to make the right choice for the second seat, and they are not rushing the decision.
One potential option for Mercedes is Alex Albon. Despite being under contract with Williams for 2025, there has been interest from Mercedes and Red Bull. Albon has shown impressive performance at Williams and has evolved into a team leader who can handle pressure. Another option is Carlos Sainz, who has extensive experience and has proven himself in race-winning cars.
Fernando Alonso is another bold option for Mercedes. He has shown his skills at Aston Martin and has a strong relationship with Russell. Alonso’s partnership with Mercedes would be similar to Hamilton’s with Ferrari, pairing one of the best drivers with one of the most successful teams.
Another intriguing option is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a young Italian driver who has been part of the Mercedes set-up since a young age. Antonelli’s performance in Formula 2 will be closely watched, and a strong year could put him in contention for a Mercedes drive.
Overall, Mercedes has many options to consider for Hamilton’s replacement. Mick Schumacher and Esteban Ocon are among the drivers with links to the team. Sainz faces tough competition despite his strong performance, and he may have to wait for Mercedes to make a decision.
The Mercedes seat and Sainz are both attractive propositions, and it’s likely that someone will secure Sainz’s services. Audi has been rumored as a potential suitor for Sainz ahead of its entry in 2026. However, the final decision rests with the team Hamilton is leaving.
