The shocking move of Lewis Hamilton to ink a contract with Ferrari has juggled the entire grid. While it was his childhood dream to drive for Ferrari, the move brought uncertainty to several F1 drivers. Carlos Sainz, the current Ferrari driver, is set to be replaced by Hamilton in 2025. Thus, the Spaniard’s racing career is at a standstill until he finds a new outfit. Further, Hamilton’s move created panic among the Mercedes crew, who had to find a replacement.
However, F1 aficionados felt the Silver Arrows could be the perfect home for Sainz, as it would offer him stability. On the other hand, some believed Red Bull might replace struggling Sergio Perez with the Spaniard, who has had an incredible 2024 season till now. However, both team have clarified their thoughts on Carlos Sainz, as the 29-year-old racer’s only hope is Audi.
Race To 2025: Red Bull Might Continue With Perez While Mercedes In ‘Observation Mode’
Mercedes is a team that has almost lost its ‘elite-team status’ due to the recent slump. Moreover, the team is grappling with performance issues, as their W15 project appears beyond repair. The star driver, Lewis Hamilton’s impending Ferrari move, would add to their miseries. In 2024, Hamilton is in the Silver Arrows’ last season and wants to finish on the high. However, the season is the worst ever for him since his debut, as the technical woes continue to haunt the technical team.
On the other hand, Red Bull is the top team, winning three consecutive world titles. The Austrian outfit has the fastest car on the grid, sitting on the top of the points table. However, the 2024 season has been nothing short of a nightmare, as controversies and internal conflict have surrounded the team. Further, this has affected their performance on the track as rival teams are inching closer. The team was also concerned with Sergio Perez’s shoddy performance.
Hence, despite Mercedes and Red Bull’s contrasting fortunes, both teams grapple with similar fundamental issues at the grassroots level. Carlos Sainz could have been the answer for both, as he is available for the 2025 season. However, Mercedes wants to offer a one-year contract to Sainz, as their primary focus is on young Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli. Similarly, despite his poor run, Red Bull might give Sergio Perez another chance. Consequently, Carlos Sainz could not agree with any of the teams. Thus, Audi, the only team left, has approached the Spanish driver recently. While they have showcased great interest in Sainz, the team needs him to decide before the Monaco GP. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Sainz’s future unfolds.
Mercedes Eyes Antonelli And Verstappen As Future Prospects
The German outfit is weighing up the drivers to replace Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz became their most established name, as he brings a fantastic racing skillset. However, Toto Wolff has voiced his opinion on Sainz after the post-Imola race. The Mercedes boss appreciated Sainz’s experience and talent while clarifying that the Silver Arrows are in observation mode.
Toto Wolff has his eyes on Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli as the future Mercedes pair. Although Verstappen has made his intentions clear to drive for Red Bull, Wolff is still optimistic. On the other hand, Kimi Antonelli is too young to race for a top F1 team. Thus, the German outfit would give him a few seasons to gain experience. Ultimately, the name of George Russell’s partner for the 2025 season remains a mystery.