As of: February 5, 2024, 7:20 a.m
By: Lena Hempler
Comments
Press
Split
Even if Mercedes boss Toto Wolff doesn't have to look for a new driver directly, there is still wild speculation - two well-known names are mentioned.
Brackley – Driver changes are completely normal in Formula 1.
However, the fact that Lewis Hamilton will end his Mercedes contract early and move to Ferrari, his biggest competitor, has shocked the motorsport world.
Even Toto Wolff didn't know anything about his current driver's plans until shortly before the public announcement.
Now he has to find a good replacement for the seven-time world champion.
Mercedes AMG F1 Team |
|
|---|---|
Team leader: |
Toto Wolff |
Company headquarters: |
Brackley |
Formula 1 driver: |
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell |
Biggest success: |
Constructors' World Champion Formula 1 (8 times) |
Vettel sensation at Mercedes?
Team boss Wolff talks about rumors
Sebastian Vettel was still part of Formula 1 until 2022, when he was still driving for Aston Martin and then decided to end his career.
Nevertheless, many fans on social media are sure: Now he just has to come back!
Despite his retirement, Vettel is considered a hot candidate for the Mercedes seat. In an interview with
RTL
, Toto Wolff spoke about exactly these rumors.
“I think Sebastian has made the decision that he doesn’t want to do that anymore.
But as a friend, I communicate with him regularly.
We also communicated yesterday [Thursday], but not about whether he would drive again,” said Wolff about Sebastian Vettel.
However, Vettel has repeatedly emphasized in the past that he would never completely rule out a comeback on the racetrack and at least a place in a top team has now become available.
Could Sebastian Vettel soon be in one of the Silver Arrows?
© IMAGO / Motorsport Images
Formula 1: Wolff doesn't want to commit to a driver yet
“I haven't yet thought about what the ideal driver line-up would be for us in 2025. And there are a lot of names that could be interesting, without us having evaluated them, it's difficult to say anything at this point “, he explained further.
Nevertheless, Wolff has already thought about Mick Schumacher in the Mercedes - he calls these thoughts "romantic" in the interview, but he didn't want to go into further detail about the extent to which they would be realistic.
For now, Toto Wolff and his team have to concentrate on the 2024 season anyway, because it hasn't even started yet!
Test drives with the new cars will take place under racing conditions from February 21st to 23rd, 2024, followed by the first race in Bahrain a week later.
And finally, Lewis Hamilton is sitting in the cockpit.
(lhe)