Sir Lewis Hamilton shocked the Mercedes F1 team early this year when he announced his departure. He has been driving for this team since 2013. Moreover, he made the team what it is today – a powerhouse. Before Toto Wolff and the great English driver joined the Silver Arrows, they did not look like a championship-worthy team. But what happened between 2014 and 2021 was simply miraculous for the German outfit and its fans. The Brackley outfit did not lose one single championship in the turbo-hybrid era. Moreover, the English great went on to win six Driver’s World Championships in those eight years.
However, things fell apart for them dramatically since 2022 when Max Verstappen and Red Bull dethroned the German team. Hamilton remained winless in the last three years, and Mercedes won their last race in the 2022 Brazilian GP with George Russell. It was time for the seven-time champion to try something different to fight for the title one last time. That’s why Lewis Hamilton decided to switch to Ferrari next year. Now, it is on Toto Wolff to sign a suitable replacement for the seven-time champion. Reportedly, they have confirmed the signing of a new replacement.
Who Is Going To Replace Lewis Hamilton At Mercedes?
According to the German newspaper BILD, Mercedes has put their money where their mouth has been. That’s how they confirmed the signing of the successor of Lewis Hamilton. Moreover, it is going to be the Italian prodigy from F2, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whom the Silver Arrows have reportedly signed. Before signing the 17-year-old, Toto Wolff did not hide his wish to sign Max Verstappen. But according to GPblog, the reigning champion has no wish to leave Red Bull, he is staying put. Hence, Toto Wolff lost that chance. However, the German outfit has had their eyes on the driver from Bologna for the last few months. As per the German outlet BILD, the former constructor champions have sealed that deal.
Hence, Antonelli will be under contract with Mercedes for the 2025 season. Why they have not signed a long-term contract? Perhaps Toto Wolff wants to make sure the 17-year-old is ready for the pinnacle of Motorsport racing at this tender age. Mercedes does not have the advantage of a junior or sister team like Red Bull has with RB (previously called Alpha Tauri and Torro Rosso). Back in 2015, the German and the Austrian outfits were top favorites to sign the Dutch racer, who was 17 years old at the time. Anyway, in the end, Red Bull got Verstappen in their junior team, Torro Rosso, in 2015. Then, the rest is history.
Carlos Sainz Jr. Missed His Chance To Sign With Wolff’s Team
Other than the Red Bull drivers, the most successful racer since 2023 has been Carlos Sainz Jr. He won the 2023 Singaporean GP and then the 2024 Australian GP. Besides, the Spaniard, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc have won one each this year. Clearly, the Prancing Horse has a couple of drivers who have won one or two races in recent times.
But they will let the most successful non-Red Bull driver since 2023 go to bring in Lewis Hamilton. Moreover, Toto Wolff told Sky Sports Germany that he informed Carlos Sainz that the team intends to sign young drivers like Antonelli. That’s the direction they are planning to head to. Hence, Mercedes closed their doors to the Spanish driver.
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