F1: Who could replace Ferrari-bound Hamilton at Mercedes?

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February 1

By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton appears to be leaving Mercedes - and for rivals Ferrari, no less. The seven-time World Champion is set to replace Carlos Sainz at the historic marque for the 2025 season and beyond, closing the chapter on a highly successful 11-year spell at the Silver Arrows.

The deal has seemingly come from nowhere - with the 39-year-old previously showing little desire to move from an environment which has proven so prosperous over the past decade. After six world titles, 78 pole positions and 82 race wins, and with two seasons left on his contract, it could finally be coming to an end.

With Charles Leclerc recently signing a new multi-year contract with the Scuderia, rumours had been circling in the past few weeks that team-mate Sainz had yet to put pen to the paper on an extension. Sky Sports F1 are today reporting that Merecedes employees were told this afternoon that Hamilton will be leaving the Brackley outfit at the end of the season.

The last couple of seasons, by his standards, have been below par. They were the first campaigns in his F1 career to produce no victories, as Mercedes were left behind by both Red Bull and Ferrari at various stages. An improved performance in 2023 saw him claim third in the Championship.

It's been a busy couple of days for F1, even before the teams have launched their 2024 contenders into the public eye. Andretti F1 have controversially had their application to join from 2025 refused, and Lando Norris has extended his stay with McLaren for the foreseeable future.

This probably rules the Bristol-born racer out from replacing his countryman at Mercedes. The same can be said for World Champion Max Verstappen, who is contracted to Red Bull for 2028.

F1 2024. Loading... ⏳ pic.twitter.com/LgM5M0AsGP

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 6, 2024

2024 will likely spell the end of Mercedes' all-British driver line-up

The question remains, who will step into Hamilton's shoes? Given previous form, Mercedes are unlikely to give such a high-profile seat to a rookie driver - with experience being the name of the day ever since they returned as a constructor in their own right in 2010.

Even George Russell had completed three seasons with Williams before getting the call up full time, and it was a similar situation for his immediate predecessor, Valtteri Bottas. The Finn spent four seasons at Grove before transferring to Mercedes.

With this bombshell move, it's clear that anyone can move anywhere if the circumstances allow - so let's have a look at some of the options Mercedes may look into.

Carlos Sainz

Perhaps the most logical move would be a straight swap with Ferrari's departing driver. The highly-experienced Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race last season, and at 29 could be looking for a long-term home after representing four teams in his first ten years in the sport.

Always quick, he has proven over the past two years, given the right machinery that he can convert this into pole positions, race victories and solid points.

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A post shared by Mick Schumacher (@mickschumacher)

Mick Schumacher could step up from reserve driver duty at Mercedes

Mick Schumacher

Mercedes' current reserve driver and has two seasons under his belt with the Haas team. Toto Wolff has long been a fan of Schumacher Jr, and selecting the 24-year-old would be a popular move with fans nostalgic of seeing the famous name return to

Schumacher showed flashes of brilliance in an uncompetitive Haas, albeit coupled with some expensive mistakes and shunts. A spell in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine this season will serve him better than the limited opportunities third drivers get these days, and perhaps the team could benefit from an older, wiser Schumacher stepping up to work alongside Russell next season.

Fernando Alonso

Experience is in vogue in F1 right now, with no rookies on the grid and with 42-year-old double title winner Alonso racking up 8 podiums in 2023, it's no wonder. A move to Aston Martin has re-awakened the Spaniard's hunger and his form last season showed age is no barrier to skill, after roundly dominating much younger team-mate Lance Stroll.

Availability could be key to Alonso's future - who is out of contract at the end of the year. With Mercedes historically favouring seasoned drivers over youth, the sport's most experienced driver could yet return to a top-three side, if Aston cannot provide the win he craves this season.

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A post shared by George Russell (@georgerussell63)

Could Russell and Alonso be fighting over more than ping-pong in 2025?

Alex Albon

The Thai-British driver will look to continue his career renaissance this season after two stellar campaigns with Williams - with his points almost single-handedly lifting the historic team from the foot of the standings.

Albon suffered from moving to a top team too soon, with his mid-season move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in his rookie year not working out at all, and leaving him without a drive for 2019.

It is to his credit he recovered from a year out as a test driver, and has arguably put in the performances of his career to date with Williams. The ambitious 27-year-old is now much better prepared for the step up to a top-three team.

Esteban Ocon

A return to Mercedes shouldn't be ruled out for the Frenchman, who drove for them in his pre-F1 days in DTM and spent a season as the team's reserve driver in 2019. He is also in the final year of his contract at Alpine.

A race winner in his own right, he has shown he is not afraid to mix it up with the most experienced and widely revered drivers on the grid, including a fraught couple of seasons teaming with Alonso.

What do you think? Will Mercedes go for a tried and tested option or shock us by picking a rookie?

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