In what is about to be the longest silly season in Formula 1, all attention is focused on Mercedes as they search for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari in 2025.
Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, recently stated that his team may take bold measures in choosing Hamilton’s successor. This statement has led many to speculate that the eight-time Constructors’ Champions are considering their young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will make his debut in Formula 2 in 2024.
Although several drivers have been linked to the available seat at Mercedes for 2025, including Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, there are suggestions that retired four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel could also be a possibility. If this were to happen, it would certainly be a sensational announcement.
Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver turned commentator, fueled speculation by suggesting that Vettel may be considering a return to the sport. Schumacher made these comments during pre-season testing in Bahrain last week, stating that he heard Vettel’s desire to return to racing. He also mentioned the impact of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari on the stock market, hinting that this may have triggered something.
As the dust settles, it is now believed that George Russell is the favorite to become the new team leader at Mercedes after his teammate’s departure to Ferrari. Toto Wolff acknowledged that Russell represents the future of the team. However, Schumacher argues that Vettel would be a more suitable choice from a marketing point of view.
He stated, “Whether George Russell has the charisma to take on the global marketing role of Lewis Hamilton or a German driver like Sebastian Vettel at Mercedes is probably too much for him.”
Schumacher added that Mercedes is still struggling to recover from their slump, which led Hamilton to make the decision to leave for Ferrari after 12 years with the Silver Arrows.
“I am a bit disappointed with Mercedes, as I believe that things will continue as they were last year. This may also be a contributing factor to Lewis Hamilton’s loss of faith and his response to Fred Vasseur’s invitation,” speculated the German.
Although anything is possible in F1, the likelihood of Vettel making a comeback seems unlikely, as the driver who won four F1 championships with Red Bull seemed increasingly disillusioned with the sport in his final years.
After joining Ferrari in 2015 following a successful stint with Red Bull, Vettel failed to secure a championship for Maranello due to various reasons, some of which were his own fault and others were attributed to Ferrari.
He went on to make more mistakes and was overshadowed by Charles Leclerc, who became his teammate in 2019, ultimately leading to his replacement by Carlos Sainz.
Vettel spent his last years in F1 with Aston Martin, with the highlight being the team’s first podium finish in Baku in 2021.
Would Vettel be interested in returning to F1 with a team that is far from the dominant force it was in the early days of the hybrid turbo era?
Furthermore, let’s not forget that Wolff himself has ruled out the possibility of Vettel joining the team, stating that they are in contact but not regarding a driver role. Is there more to this story than meets the eye?
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Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen had an exciting race at the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday. Verstappen, who currently leads the championship, started the race in pole position and managed to hold onto his position until the end, despite pressure from second-placed Lewis Hamilton.
The race in Monaco is known for its narrow streets and challenging corners, which make overtaking difficult. However, Verstappen showcased his skill in controlling the pace of the race and avoiding mistakes. He crossed the finish line just a few seconds ahead of Hamilton, securing his third consecutive victory this season.
With this win, Verstappen extended his lead in the drivers’ championship. He now has a 14-point advantage over Hamilton, demonstrating his determination to win this year’s world title. Verstappen has also received praise from other drivers and teams for his impressive performance in Monaco.
On the podium, Verstappen expressed his happiness with the result and thanked his team for their hard work. He also mentioned the importance of Monaco as one of the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar. Verstappen is now looking forward to the next race, which will be held in Azerbaijan.
The Monaco Grand Prix was also marked by some incidents. Several drivers struggled to find space for overtaking, resulting in some contacts and collisions. However, the race was thrilling from start to finish, with Verstappen and Hamilton battling for the lead.
All in all, the Monaco Grand Prix was an exciting event for Formula 1 fans. Verstappen showcased his skill and determination by securing his third consecutive victory this season. With the drivers’ championship ongoing, the competition between Verstappen and Hamilton promises to be intense in the upcoming races. Fans can’t wait to see what unfolds next in this thrilling season.
