Lewis Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari in 2025 has had a major impact on the Formula 1 world. The anticipation surrounding the Hamilton-Ferrari partnership is immense, and it has also raised questions about the team he is leaving and the driver who will replace him.
For Mercedes, this situation is not unfamiliar. In 2016, when Nico Rosberg retired immediately after winning the world championship, Mercedes found itself with a highly sought-after seat unexpectedly available. However, there are two key differences this time around. Firstly, the seat is not as valuable as when Mercedes was dominant, with Red Bull now having the best car. Secondly, there is more time to consider the options, as there are many drivers out of contract and available to join the team.
In 2016, Mercedes had limited options for signing a new driver as the driver market had already played out. They had to reach an agreement with Williams to secure Valtteri Bottas, who in turn convinced Felipe Massa to come out of retirement. This time, there are only a few drivers under contract, including Max Verstappen, the Ferrari drivers, and the McLaren drivers. This leaves a wide pool of potential candidates to replace Hamilton.
Among these candidates, there are different types of drivers. Toto Wolff, the team principal, acknowledges the potential of George Russell, who belongs to the same generation as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Wolff sees Russell as a solid foundation and a potential team leader. The focus now is on selecting the right driver for the second seat, and Wolff emphasizes that this decision should not be rushed.
One potential option is Alex Albon, who has impressed during his time at Williams and has shown leadership skills under pressure. Although Albon is currently under contract with Williams, there has been interest from Mercedes and Red Bull. Another option is Carlos Sainz, who has more experience and has proven himself in race-winning cars. Sainz could be a frontrunner for the Mercedes seat, as well as other vacancies.
Fernando Alonso is also a bold option, considering his strong relationship with Russell and his recent performances at Aston Martin. 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 success in karts and Formula 4 has caught the attention of Mercedes, and his performance in Formula 2 will be closely watched. While Wolff avoids speculation about Antonelli’s future, it is clear that he is one of the many options Mercedes is considering.
There are other drivers with links to Mercedes, such as Mick Schumacher and Esteban Ocon, who could also be contenders for the seat. Sainz faces tough competition despite his strong performance, and he may have to wait for Mercedes to make a decision.
Both the Mercedes seat and Sainz are attractive propositions, and it is likely that someone will secure Sainz’s services. However, after Hamilton’s unexpected move, the ball is now in the court of the team he is leaving to make the final call.
