831 replies to this topic

[midgrid]

With Hamilton's departure from Mercedes confirmed, who should the team sign as his replacement?

[SophieB]

It's not as much fun as it would be to be replacing Russell with him but still, Fernando all day long.

[sportyskells]

Whoever is the f2 champion this year

[FLB]

Other: Piastri

[FNG]

Love the vote for Bottas. Is that you Valteri?

 

Come on Merc, get Alonso in there.

Edited by FNG, 01 February 2024 - 19:28.

[Burtros]

See how Antonelli goes. No rush. Everyone’s gonna want that seat.

[P123]

Any of Sainz, Alonso, Antonelli, or a surprise Vettel return (he's been holidaying with Toto).

 

Hopefully Antonelli rises to the challenge in F2 and confirms the promise he has shown so far.

[Disgrace]

See how Antonelli goes. No rush. Everyone’s gonna want that seat.

 

Not necessarily, if Antonelli looks like the real deal in F2. They'd be out after a single season and with other top drivers locked into long-term contracts, it could be career over.

[ForzaGTR]

Piastri seems like a solid choice.

[Dan333SP]

Gotta be Alonso, unless he gets his 33rd win this year and retires. 

[Disgrace]

Other: Piastri

 

Under contract until 2027. It would be ironic if McLaren lost him in the way they originally snatched him. After the Palou debacle too...

[danmills]

Alonso to Merc

Perez to Aston

[Spillage]

I can't be alone in thinking Norris made a critical error in pledging his future to Mclaren. What would be really exciting is if Mercedes sign Alonso and then repalce him with Norris when Norris becomes available (by which time Fernando will be pretty old).

 

I don't think they will though. Much depends on how Russell performs this year. He's basically auditioning for the number 1 spot. If he can perform they'll probably hire a safe pair of hands - Ocon maybe, or Albon. If not they might well go for Sainz and see if they can nick Norris or Leclerc in a couple of years' time.

[pacificquay]

Under contract until 2027. It would be ironic if McLaren lost him in the way they originally snatched him. After the Palou debacle too...

But it’s not the same.

 

He is under contract to McLaren, he wasn’t under contract to anyone when they signed him.

[eab]

Whom you say? That has to be Valtteri.

[RacingFan10]

I'd love Alonso to join them but I don't think it would happen, sadly.

 

Maybe Esteban Ocon could be a candidate given he was a Merc junior driver

[Brod]

7 votes for Albon? People are crazy. 

[Beri]

7 votes for Albon? People are crazy.

Other than the Alonso pipedream, who is a better and realistic option?

[pup]

Sainz is the obvious choice.  1 or 2 year deal while they waste Antonelli in a Williams.  

[TomNokoe]

Ocon still has Mercedes links despite driving for Alpine. Is Toto still his manager? He would be a very safe, sensible option which matches the risk-averse Mercedes ethos.

 

Albon has the Vowles/Mercedes link from Williams. If Mercedes becomes "Team Russell", I suspect he would advocate very strongly for his close friend. This would also match the Mercedes ethos of having two drivers that work together for the greater good. In my mind, however, Albon doesn't really fit Mercedes. I don't trust him in a big team, maybe I'll feel different in a year's time.

 

IMO these are the only two serious options. Choosing Antonelli is pie-in-the-sky and completely against the way Mercedes do business.

 

Unlike 2017 after Rosberg quit, Mercedes can't afford to play it safe with Ocon/Albon, so maybe there is a small window for Antonelli, but if they decide to be aggressive then Alonso is the easy option, who presumably has a similar option to Hamilton and would jump at the opportunity.

[SophieB]

Alonso also has that superstar, box office aura.

[DW46]

I can't be alone in thinking Norris made a critical error in pledging his future to Mclaren. What would be really exciting is if Mercedes sign Alonso and then repalce him with Norris when Norris becomes available (by which time Fernando will be pretty old).

I don't think they will though. Much depends on how Russell performs this year. He's basically auditioning for the number 1 spot. If he can perform they'll probably hire a safe pair of hands - Ocon maybe, or Albon. If not they might well go for Sainz and see if they can nick Norris or Leclerc in a couple of years' time.

Prefer Norris to Russell but at least Russell had the balls to go up against a top driver.

[cpbell]

Albon for me!

[Marklar]

I think they will go with Ocon. He is someone that will be happy to just leave Alpine, even if it's just for 1-2 seasons till either Antonelli or a bigger name comes. They would also be able to claim to their shareholders this way that the investment in his junior career has paid off (I wouldnt underestimate this aspect, when the seat was between him and Bottas this was one argument that was used)

If I was them I would hire Sainz or Alonso (providing they want), the other options are just too weak or uncertain. You are losing Lewis Hamilton, sure, you can rely on Russell as the #1, but signing a strong 2nd driver that challenges him hard is important in their situation. And Alonso has also almost the same (or the closest you can get compared to him) marketing impact as Hamilton. He and Russell also have a good relationship, so it fits.

Alternatively if Antonelli really performs crazy in F2 I would take the gamble on him if neither of Alonso or Sainz are available.

Edited by Marklar, 01 February 2024 - 20:06.

[MichaelPM]

#1 Sainz

#2 Albon

But I think their best choice would be to go after Norris and either buy out his contract or try one of the above until Norris is available.

[eab]

Alonso by far the most popular choice, but isn't he persona non grata at Merc?

[Elloh]

During the 2025 season Alonso will turn 44 years old, would Merc get a driver for only one season? Or are people implying it would be multi-year i.e Alonso driving also when he is 45, 46?

Just because Alonso had a good season, it does not necessarily mean he will have the same outcome for several seasons to come.

[H0R]

Grosjean still has unfulfilled business at Mercedes.

[Dan333SP]

Alonso by far the most popular choice, but isn't he persona non grata at Merc?

 

Why would he be? The fallout from leaving Mclaren in 2007? That has surely been forgiven by now. 

[Disgrace]

Grosjean still has unfulfilled business at Mercedes.

 

Or more plausibly: Marc Marquez will be a free agent in 2025.

[Coral]

It must be Alonso!

[eab]

Why would he be? The fallout from leaving Mclaren in 2007? That has surely been forgiven by now. 

Could be, but back in '17/ '18 it was still given as the reason why he was excluded for a drive.

[Frood]

They'll wait to see how Antonelli is faring in F2 before making a decision. If he sinks, they'll go for a boring option, most likely Ocon. If he swims, they'll plump for Antonelli. It worked out for McLaren with Hamilton, and his winning record in terms of percentage so far is better than Hamilton or Verstappen's junior careers. Time will tell if it stays that way, however.

Edited by Frood, 01 February 2024 - 20:18.

[Brod]

Other than the Alonso pipedream, who is a better and realistic option?

 

Alonso, Sainz, try working out something with McLaren. Hell even Vettel or Ocon might be a better option. 

[uzsjgb]

See how Antonelli goes. No rush. Everyone’s gonna want that seat.

 

Except Hamilton. Do you really think there are so many drivers who want to keep the seat warm for Antonelli?

 

I think the question is formulated incorrectly. It is not up to Mercedes who they want to sign. I think it is more the question who they have to take, with limited options available. In F1, a team which has so obviously lost its way like Mercedes has, does not turn this around over one winter, it usually takes years. Would Hamilton be leaving if he thought Mercedes could fight for a championship? Mercedes will not be able to sign anyone fast, every driver will want to see how the 2024 Mercedes performs. If Mercedes falls behind Ferrari and McLaren, is it still such a desirable seat?

[Dan333SP]

Could be, but back in '17/ '18 it was still given as the reason why he was excluded for a drive.

 

My memory is hazy but I thought it was more of the perception that Alonso couldn't work with Hamilton and was a toxic force within a team as he was burning bridges with Honda at the time, rather than any sort of blocker from Mercedes themselves... either way, I'd imagine it's a non issue now but age will certainly be the biggest strike against him. 

[ARTGP]

I do not see it being Alonso. Hamilton leaving because Merc is hopeless is hardly a ringing endorsement for any driver. 

[garoidb]

Except Hamilton. Do you really think there are so many drivers who want to keep the seat warm for Antonelli?

 

I think the question is formulated incorrectly. It is not up to Mercedes who they want to sign. I think it is more the question who they have to take, with limited options available. In F1, a team which has so obviously lost its way like Mercedes has, does not turn this around over one winter, it usually takes years. Would Hamilton be leaving if he thought Mercedes could fight for a championship? Mercedes will not be able to sign anyone fast, every driver will want to see how the 2024 Mercedes performs. If Mercedes falls behind Ferrari and McLaren, is it still such a desirable seat?

 

It's basically BAR again (the version from their better years, admittedly). 

Edited by garoidb, 01 February 2024 - 20:26.

[speedx]

Alonso or Hulkenberg

[TheOne]

I think they’ll go for Sainz, Ocon, or Mick. I’d go for Albon, Seb, or Alonso. 

[STRFerrari4Ever]

I think they’ll go for a move that won’t create much fanfare or buzz despite the hammer blow they’ve been dealt with Hamilton leaving, therefore I expect them to sign Albon or Ocon as they wait for Antonelli to prove his worth in F2 and mature more before promoting him.

However this is F1 so if the Aston Martin doesn’t improve enough for Alonso’s liking, he might be in the mix to get that 2025 seat.

[JL14]

Alonso or Vettel are the signings.that would offer the most talking/topics 

[JL14]

Or might they go for Hülkenberg?

 

Would be a sweet story as well.

- Being the team that finally gives him that elusive podium/win.

- Hülk missed out on the chance when Rosberg retired, having just signed for Renault back then.

- He's German

- He's obviously still got the speed

- He's got (part of) the experience that's leaving the team with Lewis

[FirstnameLastname]

Rosberg

[Hyatt]

please not toxic Fonzo!

[Deeq]

Its no brainer this one...Its Sainz by a mile. He will be by far the best available driver.

[cbo]

Schumacher- because I'd like to see him in a proper car and find out whether he floats or sinks.

[messy]

Albon. Albon, Albon, Albon, Albon. Albon.

Why? He’s been absolutely brilliant since returning with Williams in 2021. He’s more mature, more confident, more rounded a driver. He’s learnt how to consistently deliver in qualifying which was a big weakness at RB and he’s ready for a big move now. In 2025 he’ll be what, 28-29? So the perfect age, too. He’s also going to be going up against Russell, who - with all due respect to him - is no Verstappen. Plus they know each other well and their pace/form was pretty comparable in F2.

And he’s not a big enough superstar to stop them from being able to promote someone like Antonelli a couple of years later either.

Also good choices - Sainz, Norris (if they fancy buying him out!)

Too old - Alonso, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo. Come on, time moves on eventually.

[ARTGP]

Mick Schumacher's assocation with Mercedes is going to turn really awkward when he doesn't get the seat for 2025...

[Montie]

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