With the 2024 System 1 season but to formally begin, the 2025 foolish season is in full swing with Lewis Hamilton’s shock choice to defect from Mercedes to Ferrari sending the System 1 circus right into a frenzy.
Whereas we’re nonetheless collectively holding our breath over the enormity of this transfer, there may be the query of who will exchange the seven-time world champion within the Silver Arrows. Under is a breakdown of the chances, potentialities, and even some wildcards.
Prospects
There’s the potential for a direct swap, with outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz discovering refuge in Brackley. The 29-year-old Grand Prix winner has as soon as once more discovered himself on the mercy of the ridiculous season and finds himself having to vacate his seat to a different driver.
Though there isn’t any comparability between the Spaniard and seven-time world champion Hamilton, he feels Sainz is as underrated as he was with Renault in 2018. He’s a pillar of consistency as he confirmed throughout his time at Ferrari with these wonderful wins in Singapore and Silverstone, in addition to having in depth technical competence.
If Mercedes have designs on George Russell being the workforce’s de facto chief, Sainz represents a robust determine and a constant contributor. Until in fact the Spaniard, who has lengthy been linked with a partnership with former boss Andreas Seidl in an Audi works enterprise in 2026, is taken off the market early and can experience round in Stake F1 Staff Kick Sauber.
It is going to be the same story with Alex Albon, who will enter his third season with Williams in 2024. Since returning to System 1 with the historic workforce, after being fired by Pink Bull Racing on the finish of 2020 – Albon has additionally been an accelerator and a talisman within the workforce’s gradual rise.
The 27-year-old Thai driver has a long-standing friendship with Russell, and the Briton has nothing however reward for his rival from their days within the junior formulation. Albon’s present contract with Williams expires on the finish of this yr.
And whereas 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli may characterize an extended shot for a spot in System 1 with Mercedes in 2025, there may be an air of chance round him if the Italian teenager’s meteoric rise continues.
Mercedes has included Antonelli in its younger driver programme, with {the teenager} leaping straight from the System Renault European Championship in 2023 into System 2 with leaders Prema. Might Toto Wolff and co be trying ahead to Hamilton’s debut with Antonelli?
Prospects
It could be a mistake to not embrace Fernando Alonso’s title on the listing of drivers lining as much as drive Mercedes, given the 42-year-old two-time world champion continues to be chasing an elusive third title.
There isn’t any have to additional clarify the Spaniard’s credentials, though if it did, would this be one other fallacious place on the fallacious time, together with his profession riddled with issues – or would Hamilton’s show of insecurity repay for Alonso?
There’s additionally the potential for a well-known German title taking the reins as soon as once more in a Mercedes System 1 automobile, ought to the workforce present sufficient confidence in its reserve driver Mick Schumacher. The 24-year-old has discovered refuge on the Silver Arrows, following his unceremonious sacking from Haas in 2022 – with excessive reward from huge boss Wolff.
Schumacher will race once more this yr, albeit within the World Endurance Championship with Alpine and query marks stay over his credibility in System 1. Nevertheless, if there may be sufficient confidence in what Mercedes sees on the simulator and in testing from the German, why Does the principle driver assist Russell?
One other German who it might be ironic to not a minimum of throw his hat within the ring is F1’s perennial midfielder, Nico Hulkenberg. At 36 years outdated and nonetheless and not using a podium, his profession was considered over in 2019 when Renault wanted to accommodate Esteban Ocon. However Haas gave him a lifeline in 2023 to switch Schumacher and he has thrived because of his consistency – regardless of the automobile’s inherent issues.
Hulkenberg’s contract will expire on the finish of 2024 and it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll select to commit additional to the Gene Haas-owned workforce, barring a turnaround within the mediocre kind they’re in. Ending this podium drought, and with a workforce as robust as Mercedes, could be the right conclusion to his decade-long profession.
Wildcards
Maybe a few of the extra unique decisions, however what’s life and not using a little selection and spice? If Hamilton can go to Ferrari, which many thought would by no means occur, then all playing cards are actually on the desk.
His contract additionally expires on the finish of 2024 with former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas; The striker and supreme teammate for Hamilton throughout their unimaginable 2017-2021 run of back-to-back constructors’ titles.
Whereas Bottas is relishing the freedoms he discovered within the seasons main as much as his time at Mercedes, he’s a widely known determine for the workforce and will a minimum of be a short-term answer – if their protégé in Antonelli wants extra preparation earlier than switching to the massive leagues.
It’s not identified whether or not the Sauber group, which is ready to take over Audi in 2026, will want the providers of the nine-time race winner. And whether or not even Finn himself want to return to Brackley to cycle by means of the Adelaide Hills with mullets flowing freely by means of that crisp air.
Ocon, who’s managed by Mercedes boss Wolff and was really a former Mercedes junior driver, can be an outdoor choice. His present contract with Alpine expires on the finish of 2024 and with the French producer but to make any significant strikes in direction of the entrance runners – it might not be shocking if the race winner wished out.
Once more, there may be the truth that Ocon was neglected with the Renault group in 2019 as a result of Mercedes had designs on Russell being their subsequent huge factor. In addition to the Frenchman’s tendency to mess together with his teammates, because the likes of Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly can attest to.
Lastly, why not Oscar Piastri? Apart from the truth that he and McLaren team-mate Lando Norris have their futures secured on the Woking outfit – the Australian and his supervisor Mark Webber have already got a fame for benefiting from a greater deal.
Though that might require Piastri and Webber to be distrustful of the optimistic trajectory that awaits McLaren, after their spectacular rise to fourth within the championship final yr.
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