Mercedes are yet to unveil George Russell’s teammate for the 2025 season as Lewis Hamilton will be donning the red overalls to drive a Scuderia Ferrari challenger. Team principal Toto Wolff wants to take his time to sort out best options available and not rush into a decision which he might regret later.
Moreover, with the 2026 engine regulation changes on the cards, the conundrum is profound for the Austrian team principal. Having said that, the far-fetched linkup rumors of Mercedes and Max Verstappen were recently fuelled by F1 pundits who claimed that the three-time world champion could seek a move to Brackley in the near future.
Mercedes To Share 2026 Masterplan With Max Verstappen In Desperate Transfer Bid
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal and CEO, has had eyes on Max Verstappen ever since an internal political turmoil erupted in Red Bull Racing in the aftermath of Christian Horner’s sexual harassment case. Despite Max being in contract with Red Bull until the 2028 season, recent tensions with the hierarchy suggest that Verstappen could ditch his commitment in the near future. Having said that, with Lewis Hamilton’s spot available at Brackley, Wolff is going above and beyond to convince the Dutch driver to jump ships. Meanwhile, Formula 1 host Tom Clarkson recently revealed that Wolff hasn’t completely given up on his far-fetched pursuit, and Verstappen’s shadows will hover over the Silver Arrows next year.
Clarkson added that Mercedes will share their 2026 powertrains plans with Max Verstappen to lure him for the 2026 season. And Verstappen will likely stay at Red Bull in 2025 to get a better idea of Red Bull’s powertrains. Hence, by the end of 2025, the Dutchman will have a better idea of what both teams have in store and can make an informed decision on his future accordingly. That being said, Damon Hill, former F1 champion, agreed with Clarkson’s opinion to suggest that a move to Silver Arrows for 2026 is definitely on the cards for Max Verstappen. “I think he can then wait and see more clearly. I think ’26 is definitely up for grabs,” Hill said. Ultimately, the 2026 powertrains will be the deciding factor. While Red Bull is gambling with homegrown projects, the Silver Arrows have mastered this sector as veteran suppliers.
Kimi Antonelli Frontrunner To Grab Lewis Hamilton’s Seat
Meanwhile, for the immediate future, Mercedes reportedly have reached consensus. As per multiple reports from Italian media, teenage rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to be formally announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. Kimi, who will turn 18 next week, will be eligible to receive a super license next year.
Moreover, Lewis Hamilton’s strong confidant, Peter Bonnington, is likely to be Kimi Antonelli’s race engineer, as the duo reportedly spent a lot of time at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Bono is impressed with Antonelli’s work and raw talent. Hence, the acclaimed engineer is apparently excited to partner up with him next year. However, Mercedes has yet to confirm these speculations.
Stay tuned with Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team
