With Lewis Hamilton sending shockwaves through the Formula 1 world with confirmation of his switch to Ferrari for 2025 imminent, who could replace the long-serving Mercedes driver at Brackley?
Carlos Sainz
Sainz will surely be a name high on the Mercedes wish list as the Spaniard will find himself in search of a seat in light of the Hamilton development, albeit as a proven Grand Prix winner. However, given his familial ties to Audi thanks to his father, Sainz may opt for a one-year stint in Stake F1 colours in 2025 before Sauber fully transforms a year later.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Promote from within. 17-year-old rising star Kimi Antonelli has skipped FIA F3 to go straight into a rookie Formula 2 campaign in 2024, after tasting title success throughout his junior career to date. If the Italian teenager’s ascension continues, Mercedes could opt for the youngster and mould him into F1’s next superstar.
Alex Albon
Albon has reinvented himself as a capable and quick team leader at Williams and the Grove-based outfit’s connection to Mercedes is clear for all to see. Beyond being an engine customer, Williams is stewarded by former Mercedes Strategy Director James Vowles. Albon is a hot prospect right now and has a close relationship with George Russell as well – could Vowles appease former employer Toto Wolff and let his star man go to Brackley?
Fernando Alonso
An Alonso switch from Silverstone to Brackley looks unlikely, but that could be said for the majority of the team moves the Spaniard has made throughout his long F1 career. Yes, he’s happy with Aston Martin at the moment. Still, if the team fails to make good on its promise of progress this year, Alonso could be tempted to step into Mercedes for one last bid for a third title in the twilight of his F1 journey rather than extend his stay in green beyond the end of 2024.
Esteban Ocon
Ocon’s candidacy for a Mercedes seat isn’t wholly obvious on paper – given he doesn’t appear to have the star quality of other names on this list. However, the Frenchman is a GP winner and crucially, is still managed by the Mercedes Driver Programme and has effectively been a long-term loanee to Alpine. Like Antonelli, this would essentially be a promotion from within.
Pierre Gasly
Subject to Mercedes switch rumours in the past when he was still at AlphaTauri, Gasly is another Grand Prix-winning option as a Hamilton replacement. Contracted through to the end of the upcoming season like his teammate Ocon – an open seat at a team with a consistent management structure and better title prospects would make sense for Gasly, but would he be at the top of Mercedes’ shopping list?
Mick Schumacher
Part of the Mercedes stable following his Haas dismissal, Schumacher is a romantic choice for some fans, particularly those who strictly support the young German. There’s a family tie as well given Michael made his F1 comeback with the Silver Arrows, but despite Mick being a part of the Mercedes Driver Programme, his F1 CV can’t compete with the others on this list except for rising star Antonelli.
