Toto Wolff has a variety of options to consider when it comes to finding a replacement for Lewis Hamilton next season as he prepares to join Ferrari.
The news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 came as a surprise to many, especially considering both the driver and the team denied the rumors last year.
On Thursday evening, it was officially announced that Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to make the switch to Ferrari, having signed a “multi-year” contract.
As a result, Carlos Sainz, who currently drives for Ferrari, will be left without a seat for the following year.
Mercedes now faces the task of finding a suitable candidate to fill the shoes of the 103-time race winner for the 2025 season.
With several drivers’ contracts set to expire at the end of 2024, Mercedes has a wide range of options to consider in their search for a new teammate for George Russell.
One of the most obvious choices is Carlos Sainz.
Sainz has already proven himself as a race winner, being the only non-Red Bull driver to achieve victory in 2023 at the Singapore Grand Prix.
He is a highly talented driver who received praise last year for his consistent performance, which is a quality Mercedes will require in their new driver, considering Hamilton’s reliability.
Although Sainz may not possess the same level of raw speed as Hamilton or Russell, he has demonstrated his ability to be an excellent second driver and could even surprise a few people without the pressure of the Tifosi.
Another driver whose contract expires at the end of 2024 is Alex Albon, who is being sought after by several teams.
Both Red Bull and Alpine have shown interest in the Thai driver, but since he currently races for Williams, a customer Mercedes team, a move to Brackley could be a possibility.
At 27 years old, Albon is reaching the peak of his career performance-wise and has proven his leadership abilities.
He consistently scored points for Williams in 2023 and frequently qualified in Q3, suggesting that he could consistently compete for significant points in a Mercedes.
If Mercedes is looking for a short-term solution, Fernando Alonso could be the ideal driver to sign.
The two-time World Champion’s contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of 2024, and although he reportedly wants to stay with the Silverstone-based team, it would be unwise for him to turn down an opportunity with team principal Toto Wolff.
Moving to Mercedes could be Alonso’s final chance to contend for victories and potentially even a championship, especially considering the new power unit regulations that will come into effect in 2026.
Mercedes may also be considering a short-term driver option to allow the incredibly talented Kimi Antonelli to further develop.
Recent reports have revealed Charles Leclerc’s significant pay rise, indicating that Mercedes might be willing to invest in young talent.
Antonelli, a 17-year-old Mercedes junior driver, is the reigning FRECA Champion and is set to make his Formula 2 debut this year with PREMA Racing.
He is widely regarded as the next big thing in motorsport and is considered the most promising talent since Max Verstappen.
If Antonelli performs well in his debut F2 season, there is a chance that Mercedes could take a risk and promote him directly to Hamilton’s seat.
McLaren experienced a stroke of luck in 2007 when they immediately brought Hamilton into their team after he won the 2006 GP2 title, and perhaps Mercedes can do the same with Antonelli.
