This is when there will be clarity on Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes

F1 News

When there will be clarity on Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes
26 February at 10:00
24
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lewis Hamilton is leaving for Ferrari at the end of this Formula 1 season. There is speculation as to who will take over his spot at Mercedes. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said when there will be clarity about this empty seat.

Lewis Hamilton's departure from his beloved Mercedes came as a surprise to many, including the team's team boss Toto Wolff. He must now look for the 39-year-old Briton's successor. Wolff has already expressed that he is not going to do this in a hurry. He wants to take his time with it and perhaps pull off something crazy.

When will there be clarity about the empty seat at Mercedes?

In an interview with the Italian branch of Sky Sports, Wolff says the team has set a deadline for itself. "The market will be very dynamic. I will see what happens after the first races. By May, we will have a better perspective.''

Who stands a chance of getting the empty seat at Mercedes?

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a name that has been mentioned a lot as Hamilton's successor. Wolff does not rule him out but does indicate that it might be too early for now. "I like Kimi. He is a good and comes from a good family, but everyone is already putting a lot of pressure on him. He is 17 years old and racing in Formula 2 for the first time. He may struggle to settle in. I don't want to give him more stress."

In addition, many F1 drivers' contracts expire at the end of this season. So there seem to be many opportunities for Wolff, and the seat at Mercedes is not the least, of course. Names linked to the vacant seat include Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso.