Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after twelve Formula One seasons racing with them has left a prized seat available with the eight time world championship winning team. Despite Mercedes failing to conquer the “physics” of the new ground effect F1 cars, they have finished second and third in the title race since the new FIA regulations were enacted for 2022.

Whether the Brackley based squad can match either of those results this season, is yet to be seen, but after just three outings the former world champions seem to be off the pace of both Ferrari and McLaren and currently sit just one point ahead of Aston Martin in fifth place.

 

 

 

Mercedes mute on Hamilton replacement

Hamilton will no doubt be pleased to see the progress Ferrari have made in closing the gap on Red Bull and this weekend in Suzuka will reveal just how close the Scuderia are getting.

Toto Wolff has been swift to dismiss any talk of his star driver having mentally checked out at Mercedes pending his move to Italy. “He’s in a situation obviously where, on one side, it’s super frustrating to see that we are not getting it. On the other side, look over the fence. It’s pretty good what’s happening there. But that is not his main priority today.”

And the Mercedes boss has been doing the rounds and enjoying the media intrigue over who he will decide upon to replace Lewis Hamilton. When Hamilton’s departure was first announced, Wolff teased he was considering promoting their 18 year old junior driver Kimi Antonelli when he claimed, “maybe it’s a chance to do something bold.”

Antonelli is in his first season in F2 and Mercedes have the tricky decision whether to launch him in the deep end as Red Bull did with Max Verstappen, or to hold him back to give him more experience before he gets into one of the fastest racing cars on the planet. The latter option appears the more sensible approach, but this would leave Mercedes needing a stop gap driver for probably just one season before they bring in Antonelli for 2026.

Vettel’s old strategist predicts his F1 return

 

 

 

Stop gap replacement while Antonelli matures

If this were the case, the team needs a stop gap driver – probably with plenty of experience – to keep the seat warm for when the young Italian is deemed ready.

With Sebastian Vettel in the news this week as he promotes his energy drink Perple, the inevitable questions have been asked of there former world champion about a potential return to the sport he retired from at just 35 years of age.

Speaking to RadioX during his promotional tour, Vettel; said this week: “From an age point I feel bloody young, with all the guys that I raced with still hanging around and signing big contracts, staying around for longer, it looks like I could have another 10 years in the sport!”

Of course this then prompted the obvious questions about him replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. When asked by Sky F1 if he was one of the possible drivers Toto Wolff may be considering at present, Vettel answered playfully: “Potentially I am, because I haven’t got a drive. The question is, am I looking for one?

Ricciardo jib backfires as Lawson lined up for Miami

 

 

 

Vettel considers F1 return

“I think it depends on the package. I retired from F1 not to come back, but also did say that you never know.”

Sebastian was not talking about financial remuneration when he used the term ‘package’ but rather the competitive nature of any car he would consider driving. To this end Vettel believe despite recent troubles, Mercedes is till a good opportunity he admitted: “For sure it’s one of the best seats on the grid.”

Toto Wolff in the past weeks has been shouting his praise for Max Verstappen from the hill tops as he attempts to take advantage of the recent Red Bull in fighting. Max Verstappen implied in Australia that he could leave the Milton Keynes outfit before his contract ends in 2028, should his mentor Dr. Helmut Marko be forced out of the picture.

Fernando Alonso though believes there is ‘no chance’ of this happening when asked whether Verstappen leaving Red Bull would impact his own future driving options.

McLaren aim it bizarre mistake

 

 

 

Hamilton: ‘Alonso poor team player’

“If Max leaves Red Bull maybe that has an impact but I think there’s zero chance of that happening,” said the Spaniard. But he doesn’t rule out driving for Mercedes, something Lewis Hamilton now warns his team against.

Hamilton was asked who he would like to see replace him at Mercedes and he had this not so cryptic conundrum for his team boss. “The only thing I really care about is that the team takes on someone with integrity and values that are aligned with the team and where the team is going.

“Someone with compassion that’s able to work with all these great people and continue to lift them up.

“There’s so many great people in this team and as drivers there are some that are more selfish than others, there are some that are good drivers but perhaps not the best within team environments.”

Hulkenberg signs for Audi

 

 

 

Hamilton/Alonso feud

Cleary Lewis’ rookie season experience alongside the newly crowned double world champion Alonso, is one firmly etched in his memory forever. Becoming increasingly frustrated at what Fernando saw as favouritism towards Hamilton in the McLaren 2007 setup, he decided in Hungary to block Hamilton’s final qualifying run by lingering in the pit box.

The stewards were unimpressed and issued Alonso with a five place grid drop penalty for the Grand Prix which did little to improve relations between both McLaren drivers.

Hamilton however, does believe his former rival Sebastian Vettel would be a great match for his soon to be ‘old’ team. “I would love for Seb to come back,” said Hamilton in the Japanese driver press conference.

“You have a multi world championship winning driver and someone who’s got amazing values and would continue to take this team forwards.

German press slams “spoilt” Hamilton and “clueless” Wolff

 

 

 

Hamilton says Vettel good Mercedes choice

“I would love it if he came back. I hope they find someone great,” Hamilton said.

“They’ve already got George and I hope they find a good match to go alongside him.

“I’m sure they’ve got so many options.”

Skeptics may suggests Lewis would favour Vettel taking his seat given the way the German’s career faded away towards the end. Having been dropped by Ferrari who favoured Charles Leclerc instead, Vettel spent his final two years in Formula One scraping into the top ten in qualifying and battling for minor points.

Red Bull taunt Mercedes with another “new concept”

 

 

 

Fernando could outshine Lewis

Of course were Vettel to race alongside Russell it could easily give a favourable view of Hamilton during his time as George’s team mate.

On the other hand were Fernando Alonso to join Mercedes and outshine Russell, questions would be asked of why Lewis failed in this regard, and validate the belief that Fernando is a better driver than the seven times world champion.

Vettel is probably not high on Mercedes’ radar, though if they want a one year stop gap driver until Antonelli is ready, Sebastian could be one of the experienced drivers prepared to sign up for such a short timescale. Whereas Fernando Alonso famously quit Alpine because they refused to give him a two year contract extension, offering just a single season while Oscar Piastri was to be bloodied further down the grid.

Hamilton “weakness exposed”

 

 

 

Hulkenberg accuses Alonso of ‘dirty play

The Formula One circus has decamped at the iconic Suzuka race circuit but much of the talk on there media day was about certain goings on in Melbourne. Long after the chequered flag had fallen, the trophies presented and the champagne sprayed, the stewards decided to hand out one of their harshest penalties to Fernando Alonso for diving in a “potentially dangerous” fashion.

During the closing laps down under, George Russell was harrying Alonso’s Aston Martin as they battled for P6. Fernando driving defensively backed off into turn 6 to ensure Russell did not get a run on him before the largest of the DRS zones. The Mercedes driver appeared not to notice, closed quickly on the Aston Martin then career off the track and into the crash barrier….. READ MORE