Toto Wolff is currently exploring driver options to replace Lewis Hamilton next season. Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari in 2025 has left a void in the team, and Wolff is actively seeking a new driver. With many drivers available in the market until 2025, the Austrian principal has a wide range of choices to consider.
Several possibilities have been considered to fill the vacant seat in Brackley. Carlos Sainz, who will leave Ferrari due to Hamilton’s arrival, is one of the drivers discussed as a potential candidate to join Mercedes in the next Formula 1 season. Talks about Sainz’s possible move to Mercedes are ongoing.
However, Wolff has not yet made a final decision on the team’s driver for the next season. The team principal will take his time to carefully select the driver who will partner with Sainz. Previously, Wolff had mentioned that George Russell would be the number one driver after Hamilton’s departure.
Recent reports indicate that Toto Wolff was seen talking to Carlos Sainz and his manager in the F1 paddock. There have been discussions about a possible contract for Sainz with Mercedes, as mentioned by the Italian publication Corriere dello Sport. This suggests that Sainz could be considered as an option for Brackley in 2025.
Before the start of the 2024 season, there was much anticipation surrounding the challenger W15. Wolff had stated that the team had taken a more conventional approach with the car. However, the performance of the challenger W15 did not meet expectations, highlighting the difficulties Mercedes has faced since the regulatory changes.
Wolff recognized that there is something the team does not understand about the challenger’s development. He also mentioned that the car’s short rear wing may be contributing to performance issues. The team is aware that the chassis is losing speed at high speeds on the track.
Mercedes aims to solve these problems and get back on the path to victory by working on the chassis. Despite positive feedback in the second half of the 2023 season, the team did not achieve great results. Therefore, Mercedes is focused on development before the Australian GP in hopes of achieving better results throughout the season.
