4 Drivers That Could Likely Replace Lewis Hamilton In Mercedes

Friday, 02 February 2024 at 16:00

Summary of four potential drivers that could replace Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes seat after he departs the team at the end of the season 2024.

Mercedes most probably thought until this week that they had their driver situation sorted. However, with news of their start leaving the team, Toto Wolff will have to search for alternatives.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz is the one who the seven-time World Champion will replace in Ferrari. While he proved to his team during the last season he has what it takes to compete for the Championship, Ferrari decided they wanted to give a shot to someone even more experienced.

On the one hand, one door closes for the Spaniard in the Italian team. On the other hand, another might open in Mercedes.

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According to Lawrence Barretto, Sainz has had a great relationship with Silver Arrows' team principal and has been in potential talks over a seat on the German team a couple of times in the past.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon already once got his chance in one of the top teams when he raced for Red Bull in 2019 and 2020. However, he wasn't experienced enough back then.

Over the last two years with Williams, he gained that experience and some confidence to claim that he is ready to fight for podiums and race wins again.

The Thai driver has done miracles with Williams during the most recent season, and his contract with the team expires at the end of 2024. Moreover, he is great friends with George Russell, with whom he would form a great duo.

Esteban Ocon

Many people don't know this, but Esteban Ocon is associated with Mercedes despite being Alpine's driver. The 27-year-old showed his strong pace when he achieved third place in the Monaco Grand Prix with 5th least competitive car in the grid.

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The problem with Ocon is that he does not tend to get along well with his teammates, which we have seen in the past when he was paired with Fernando Alonso or Sergio Perez.

Nevertheless, the Frenchman's name will definitely be on Wolff's list. Ocon has not been given a chance in one of the top teams so far. Could this be his chance?

Fernando Alonso

Although we don't know the relationship between Toto Wolff and Fernando Alonso, he is the most experienced driver on the grid at the moment.

He is someone who could come to Mercedes for only one or two seasons before his retirement. During this time, he could bring great value to the team, aid the development of their new car, and give them more time to make the right decision in relation to their next driver.

Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button asserted he would love to see the Spanish Matador with Silver Arrows as he believes he would be a great fit.

What Alonso achieved with Aston Martin in 2023 only shows that he still has what it takes. Could the double World Champion join Mercedes at the end of 2024 and earn his 33rd win with the German team in 2025? What a story that would be.