Lewis Hamilton is likely to leave Mercedes after 12 years to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, according to widespread sources.
Hamilton, 39, has won six of his seven Formula One world titles while racing for Mercedes, but he has not been in championship contention since 2021, with Max Verstappen winning the last three.
Mercedes is expected to make a formal announcement on Hamilton’s probable leave on Thursday, with team head Toto Wolff briefing factory staff earlier in the day.
Possible replacements for Hamilton
While the most of the attention around Hamilton’s departure will be on his future with Ferrari, there is also speculation about the future of Mercedes and who will replace him as George Russell’s teammate at the Brackley-based outfit.
These are some of the top contenders…
Carlos Sainz
Sainz is being replaced at Ferrari by Hamilton, who will take over for the 2025 season. Sainz presently races with Charles Leclerc for the legendary Italian team, but it is Leclerc who will stay with Ferrari after signing a new contract last week.
Sainz, who has raced for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, has two race wins and 18 podium places in his career.
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari for the 2025 season 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ax5L8lUVAL
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 1, 2024
Alex Albon
Albon had an impressive 2023 season, assisting Williams to a seventh-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
The 27-year-old scored all but one of the team’s 28 points last season, adding to his increasing reputation in the sport.
Mercedes has a history of promoting from within, with Russell moving from a Williams seat to a Mercedes one in 2022, and a similar transfer might be in the works for Albon next year.
Esteban Ocon
Another driver whose contract expires next year, Ocon had a solid 2023 season, scoring 58 points for Alpine as they placed sixth, including a podium result in Monaco.
Ocon was a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2019, but did not compete in any races. Could he have his chance in 2025?
