Lewis Hamilton, the current Mercedes driver, surprisingly announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the team after 12 years. The news of his departure sparked rumors that he could join rival team Ferrari. Additionally, there were reports of tension between Red Bull champion Max Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner, regarding allegations of inappropriate behavior. This further fueled speculation that Hamilton could potentially join the Brackley-based team.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff openly expressed his admiration for Verstappen and his desire to have him as a Mercedes driver after Hamilton leaves in 2025. However, Wolff acknowledges that Mercedes currently does not have a car that matches Verstappen’s skills, making the Dutchman’s final decision. Verstappen has strong relationships with Red Bull senior consultant Helmut Marko and technical director Adrian Newey. Former Formula 1 race winner Gerhard Berger predicted that if Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull, he will take Marko and Newey with him to his new team.
In an interview with oe24, Wolff reiterated his desire to have Verstappen on the Mercedes team. He recognized Verstappen’s status as the strongest driver and expressed the team’s need to ensure they have a competitive car to offer him. Wolff believes that if Mercedes can provide a strong car, they can become a viable option for Verstappen.
When asked about the possibility of Verstappen attracting Newey from Red Bull and joining another team on the grid, Wolff replied, “Anything is always possible in this unpredictable carousel, I wouldn’t rule out any possibility.”
“But we have a fantastic technical team that I am very comfortable with and they are positioned exactly where they should be, even if the lap times currently do not reflect that.”
Regarding Marko, he stated: “It all comes down to Max and his future prospects. I do not have enough knowledge about their dynamics to determine how important Marko really is to Max.”
Returning to the subject of the vacant seat at Mercedes for next year, Wolff emphasized that he holds no negative feelings towards Hamilton for his sudden and unexpected decision.
He further expressed: “Throughout a career, there are moments when you want to explore something new or should explore something new. That is why I hold no negative feelings towards Lewis.”
“It was just the timing that caught me by surprise, considering the season had not even started yet. However, it may end up being a good fit: Unlike us, Ferrari and McLaren secured their contracts so early that they have more seats available in the coming years,” the Austrian commented.
If Verstappen is no longer an option, Mercedes may consider a young rookie to partner with George Russell in the team. Wolff was asked about the likelihood of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a junior driver from Mercedes and Formula 2, securing a full-time contract to compete in F1.
“The younger generation is generally very talented. And Kimi stands out to me as one of the most exceptional young talents.”
Regardless, Wolff has enough time to make a decision about the Mercedes driver lineup for 2025. Currently, the focus is on the races; the next race is scheduled for March 24 for the Australian Grand Prix, starting at 04:00 GMT (15:00 local time).
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The soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo shines once again on the field. During yesterday’s match, Ronaldo scored three goals and helped his team secure a crushing 5-1 victory against the opponent. With this impressive performance, the player showed that he is still in top form and continues to be one of the best in the world.
The match started with a quick goal from the opposing team, but Ronaldo wasted no time in responding. With his exceptional skill, he scored two consecutive goals, turning the game in favor of his team. The crowd went wild with the impeccable performance of the superstar, who demonstrated all his technique and talent.
In the second half, Ronaldo continued to shine. With a precise shot, he scored his third goal of the match, further solidifying his team’s victory. In addition to the goals, the player also provided important assists, showing that his contribution to the team goes beyond the score.
After the game, Ronaldo was cheered on by the fans and praised by his teammates. The coach highlighted the player’s importance to the team and emphasized his leadership on and off the field. With this memorable performance, Ronaldo once again proves why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
The team’s next match will be against a tough opponent, but with Ronaldo on the field, confidence is high. Fans eagerly await to see another brilliant performance from the superstar and hope that he continues to dazzle us with his talent and determination. The future looks promising for Ronaldo and his team, and supporters are excited for what’s to come.
