What has been the most shocking development in F1 in recent weeks?
It is a shocking event that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for the 2025 season and drive for Ferrari.
Hamilton’s shocking decision – the driver reportedly ‘showed up’ as he said he would GQ Recently, what was already supposed to be an enthusiastic driver transfer market has started in earnest. With more than half of the grid having expiring contracts, it was already likely that the driver line-up would change significantly in 2025.
The situation may look very different at Mercedes, where seats will soon be available.
A spot at Mercedes for the 2025 season is now up for grabs, and a number of drivers have already put their names forward for the spot. Even retired Sebastian Vettel has been linked with a Silver Arrows involvement in recent days, with the driver himself saying this week that Mercedes has “one of the best seats on the grid”.
“I have talked to him [Mercedes boss Toto Wolff], it doesn’t really matter about the seats. We also spoke briefly about the whole situation,” Vettel said. Sky Sports F1. “That’s why we keep in touch. I don’t know. I think we’ll have to have a few more phone calls and conversations to find out a little more. But for sure. [Mercedes] It’s one of the best seats on the grid.”
Wolff appears to have a short list of options for next season.
give a speech in an open audience Friday’s FIA press conference, Wolff spoke about both Vettel and another potential replacement in his range of experience, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, who is not yet 18, has skipped F3 completely and is racing in F2 this season. Antonelli, who finished 14th in the first F2 race of the season, has improved since then, scoring a season-best fourth place in the feature race in Melbourne.
It was recently announced that Antonelli will take part in F1 testing in both countries. Imola and Austria in the coming weeksThere have been some changes from the plan at the start of the season.
Wolff, like Antonelli, mentioned the schedule change on Friday.
” [program] The idea that you drive F1 has been around for a long time and hasn’t changed much in recent weeks. What we have done is increase the number of days, but whether or not he gets in an F1 car next year, things will fall into place over the next few months. Wolf said Friday.. “So, yes. We’ll be practicing for a few days to get him comfortable in the F1 car. He will be driving the 2021 car for the first time in Austria.
“We want to give him a feel for what a really good car feels like before we put him in for the ’22 season.” [Mercedes’ challenger for the 2022 season]. Obviously he’s been our boy for a long time along with James and we’re keen to see what he can do in an F1 car. Olly Bearman found it refreshing to see how competitive he was in Saudi Arabia. Even with no free practice and a fast and complex course, he was right there. So you’re probably doing well. ”
Wolff then addressed speculation that Vettel would make a shocking move of his own and return to the grid after a brief retirement.
“Sebastian is someone you can’t ignore,” Wolff said. “I think his track record is phenomenal. And it might be good to take a break from time to time to reevaluate what’s important to you and get more motivated.”
Mercedes’ president then warned that a decision may not be imminent.
“As I said before, I don’t think we have made a decision yet. And it’s not something we plan to do in the next few weeks. We know the driver market is very dynamic. “Some really good players are looking to sign with other teams. We want to continue those discussions and keep our options open,” Wolff said. . “But at that stage, I think it’s too early to commit to a driver who is either very young or very experienced or, I don’t want to say old, but very experienced.” You’ll get more hints here.”
Mr. Wolfe was then asked if he had a list of drivers.luke smith The Athletic He asked the Mercedes boss if he had narrowed it down to “one, two, three drivers.”
“Yes,” Wolff replied curtly, without elaborating or giving exact numbers.
No matter how long or short that list is, one thing is clear.
Wolf may have the biggest domino in the upcoming season of Silly.
