Lewis Hamilton has already decided his future in the world of Formula 1 and in the 2025 season he will wear red to be the number one driver of the Maranello team, Ferrari and this has the offices of Mercedes, a team that the British will leave, working as hard as possible to find a replacement suitable and worthy of being able to face a 2025 season where all eyes will be about them.
In the midst of so much speculation that has been generated since the official announcement of Hamilton’s signing for FerrariToto Wolff, team manager, broke the silence and decided to share details through statements to FOX Sports Australia, about what lies ahead for Mercedes for the 2025 campaign but this time without Hamilton at the wheel of one of its cars.
The names on the Mercedes list
Among the names mentioned by the Silver Arrow CEOthe most important name they want to sign at all costs is the Dutchman Max Verstappen, who is currently a member of the ranks of Red Bull Racing and one of the most prominent in professional motorsports:
“Yes it is, you just have to look at his performance,” said the director of the German team in the face of rumors of interest in the driver.. “But it’s one of those relationships that has to happen at a certain time, so we don’t know when it will be. But I don’t want to rule out other candidates,” Wolff made clear, keeping open the possibilities of future signings.
Fernando Alonso is also a clear target for Mercedes
Spain is a country where the eyes of the Mercedes leaders are focused and precisely on a living legend and another promising driver: “There are some really interesting options for us, from a young man with super talent, to a veteran and very experienced one.” Within this description, Wolff confirmed the interest in Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, highlighting their capabilities and the not easy task of having to choose between one of them. “Of course we are looking at Alonso, who is a very exciting option, and Sainz, who is a very good driver. We have to choose and it is not easy,” he indicated.
Although Wolff has mentioned big, important and experienced names, he does not turn a blind eye to being able to get talent in training, and that is why Wolff revealed another young candidate with potential: Kimi Antonelli. “As I said, a lot will depend on Max. Although we also have a promising kid that I don’t want to put too much pressure on, but it seems like he has the potential to be one of the best,” he shared.
With this, Mercedes highlights its interest in continuing to be a trainer of emerging talent to introduce them in the highest category of professional motorsports. However, the manager wanted to make it clear that: “We do not want to rush and put him behind the wheel of a Formula 1 at 18 years old. So if it’s not him for Mercedes, we have a couple more options that we can use.”
“It is a difficult choice because there is no clear criterion for one and everything points to the other. I just want to take a step back and just monitor the situation. Some of the guys mentioned may sign for other teams and that’s why I’m just looking at it,” Toto Wolff concluded about the uncertainty and intrigue surrounding the car that the 7-time champion of the Formula 1 world will no longer be driving.
George Russell would be the new commander at Mercedes
It should be noted that, in the event that the transfer of the Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who would occupy the team’s first car, is not completed, George Russell is the man seen to be able to command Mercedes and be the direct rival of Red Bull Racing.
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