Mercedes boss confirms talks for Lewis Hamilton’s replacement

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has confirmed that he has been in contact with Sebastian Vettel in the quest for Sir Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

However, he has downplayed the possibility of the four-time Formula One champion returning from retirement to race for Mercedes.

It was confirmed this week that Hamilton would leave the Silver Arrows after 11 years to join Ferrari in 2025.

Wolff and his team are now looking for someone who can live up to the standards set by the most successful driver in the sport’s history, and they have a few names in mind.

This contains some drivers who are no longer racing in Formula One, including as former Haas star Mick Schumacher, 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and retiring Vettel.

The German icon retired from the sport in 2022, following a tremendously successful 15-year career that includes four straight titles and 53 victories, the fourth highest in history.

However, the 36-year-old did not rule out the prospect of making a dramatic comeback last year, but Wolff’s recent statements have put an end to rumours linking him with Hamilton’s replacement.

‘I believe he decided not to race anymore,’ the Mercedes CEO stated of Vettel.

We talk on a regular basis. We also spoke yesterday [last Thursday], but it was not about driving for us in the future.’

While Wolff believes his team would not rush their decision, he does urge they make a ‘bold’ choice in picking their new driver, and Vettel is surely that.

Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes odds:

 

Last year, the former Red Bull and Ferrari driver stated: ‘I can’t say no [to the possibility of making a comeback], because you don’t know. I can’t rule anything out.’

It seems more likely that Wolff was discussing the possibility of promoting Mercedes junior Antonelli, who has been projected for great things despite his young age.

‘Kimi has been with Mercedes since he was eleven. He’s been in the junior program, and his junior career was really successful,’ he explained.

‘I believe what’s most important at this point is that he focuses on F2. If we start spinning his mind or spreading rumors in the media about him, it will not help his F2 campaign.

‘He just got out of karts a few years ago, and he’s not quite 18. So I’d prefer not create any conjecture about Kimi entering Formula One at that moment.

The 2024 F1 season begins on March 2nd with the Bahrain Grand Prix.