Toto Wolff believes that Carlos Sainz is a potential candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari left a vacancy at Mercedes, and Sainz is currently without a team for the upcoming season. However, the F1 driver market will be open at the end of this year, and Wolff revealed that Sainz is one of the contenders for a spot at Mercedes.
Sainz’s move to Ferrari before the start of the 2024 season caught many by surprise, including Wolff. The Spaniard is now without a confirmed team and hinted at his uncertain situation after winning the Australian GP. Wolff stated that all drivers available to Mercedes in 2025 have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Wolff has a wide range of options when it comes to selecting drivers for Mercedes until 2025. He also hinted at the possibility of Max Verstappen joining the team. However, Wolff mentioned that choosing a driver is a difficult decision as there are no clear criteria for selection.
Therefore, Wolff has decided to step back and observe the situation before making a final decision on a driver. Most available drivers will likely re-sign with their current teams, so Wolff is taking his time in the selection process. Sainz has also been considered for a position at Audi after entering Formula 1 in 2026, which could impact his prospects with Mercedes.
Despite being without a team, Sainz has performed well in the 2024 season. His absence at the Saudi Arabian GP due to appendicitis affected his points in the driver’s championship. However, the Spaniard has recovered and is expected to continue scoring well for the rest of the season. Sainz has also set a deadline to finalize a team in Formula 1.
