Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari, leaving Toto Wolff to take on the challenging challenge of succeeding a seven-time world champion.
The impending departure of Lewis Hamilton is causing Toto Wolff a great deal of sorrow.
The seven-time world champion will join Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. In order to fill the massive vacuum left by one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history, Mercedes CEO Wolff must choose the finest option. Luckily, he benefits from two crucial factors.
First of all, with Hamilton not going for another 11 months, he has plenty of time to consider his options. Most importantly, though, is that Mercedes has no shortage of alternatives; there are many skilled drivers out there who are eager to compete for one of the best teams. They can also, if they’d like, call on one of the many gifted young people who are eagerly awaiting their big breaks. Here are a few of the initial contenders for the position:
Carlos Sainz
Naturally, Carlos Sainz will be strongly associated with a Mercedes move, given that we now know he will be moving at the conclusion of this year. The Spaniard has finally won a race, but he will have to find new pastures because Ferrari chose to keep Charles Leclerc. The new Audi F1 project has been Sainz’s main focus, but if he hasn’t already committed, the lure of a second top seat with Mercedes might be too much to pass up. Additionally, he is a capable, seasoned choice for Wolff.
Albon Alexander
After an arduous 18 months at Red Bull, he was without an F1 seat just three years ago.However, Alex Albon has revitalized his career with Williams and propelled the dormant giants to seventh place in the championship last season on his own. Every elite organization is keeping an eye on the British-Thai racer because of his incredible achievements and outcomes, and Mercedes will undoubtedly take him into consideration. Although they might have to fight for his signature, their strong bond with Williams might make it easier for them to seal the transaction.
Esteban Ocon
Even though he seems like a slightly unconventional choice, Esteban Ocon is highly considered throughout the grid. Although it appears that Alpine has fallen out of the top half of the standings, he is an F1 race winner and has made a name for himself there in recent years. If Wolff chooses to work with the Frenchman, the agreement should be rather simple, as Mercedes still oversees his career. And Ocon would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to try himself in a driver’s seat at last.
Alonso Fernando
An even more unexpected decision.Following the Hamilton news, there was a lot of discussion regarding Fernando Alonso on social media and among prominent figures.Jenson Button, who expressed live on Sky Sports how much he would love to see the 43-year-old Spaniard join Mercedes, was among those who fannied the flames. Even so, it doesn’t seem realistic given how content Alonso is at Aston Martin.And hiring a longer-term alternative would be preferable for the Silver Arrows.
Wolff stated on Friday that he has the opportunity to make a “bold” decision. What could be more audacious than throwing a young driver with promise into the deep end? Ultimately, he is confident that George Russell possesses the necessary skills to take charge and guide the team during Hamilton’s absence.Is Mick Schumacher, the reserve driver, returning to the Formula One grid? Alternatively, Frederik Vesti, the runner-up in Formula 2 last year, might be selected. If he does well in F2 this year, perhaps even the young phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli can force his way into contention.
