Huge surprise in Formula 1 – Mercedes and the favorite to replace Lewis Hamilton

​Lewis Hamilton produced the shock of the start of the year in Formula 1, after announcing that he had agreed with Ferrari to start the collaboration from 2025. Now, it is the turn of Mercedes to try a super-move.

>> Formula 1 – Lewis Hamilton, the disastrous start to the season and the possible salvation called Ferrari

Max Verstappen, favorite to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

The departure of Lewis Hamilton leaves a void in the Mercedes team, and the boss of the German manufacturer is considering a top transfer to strengthen his team.

Winner of three world titles in the last three seasons, Max Verstappen has a contract with RedBull until 2028, but his future with the Austrian team is in question due to the breakdown of relations between his father and director Christian Horner.

In light of these differences, Toto Wolff believes that Verstappen would be an ideal option to replace Lewis Hamilton.

“We have a free place, the only one among the best teams, unless Max decides to leave, and then the place will no longer be free with us.

Yes. You see what his performance levels are, but I wouldn’t want to neglect the others.” – he said, according to Agerpres.

Wolff tried to recruit Verstappen when he was a teenager before he signed with Red Bull, but was unable to offer him a place in Formula 1.

The Austrian also said that he has a very good relationship with Jos Verstappen and that they met then in Vienna to discuss a possible collaboration in the future, but the Italian driver already had an offer from Red Bull at that time.

Toto Wolff did not rule out the Fernando Alonso or Carlos Sainz options either.

“Obviously there is Fernando, who is very exciting, and Carlos, who is very good. So there are a few options.” – he concluded.

Mercedes, which dominated the Formula 1 World Championship between 2014 and 2021, failed to win a race last season and faced a double abandonment in Melbourne, the first since 2018.

>> Fernando Alonso, penalized – The changes produced in the hierarchies of Formula 1

Formula 1 driver ranking

1 Max Verstappen (RedBull) 51 points

2 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 47

3 Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 46

4 Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 40

5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 28

6 Lando Norris (McLaren) 27

7 George Russell (Mercedes) 18

8 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 16

9 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 9

10 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 8 etc.

Formula 1 constructors’ standings

1 RedBull 97 points

2 Ferrari 93s

3 McLaren 55s

4 Mercedes 26

5 Aston Martin 25

6 RB Honda RBPT 6

7 HAAS 4

8 Williams 0

9 KICK Sauber 0

10 Alpine Renault 0

What the 2024 Formula 1 season looks like

1) MP from Bahrain / March 2 / Winner Max Verstappen

2) MP from Saudi Arabia / March 9 / Winner Max Verstappen

3) Australian MP / March 24 /Winner Carlos Sainz

4) MP from Japan / April 7 / Suzuka

5) MP from China / April 21 / Shanghai

6) Miami MP / May 5 / Miami International Autodrome

7) MP from Emilia Romagna / May 19 / Imola

8) MP from Monaco / May 26 / Monaco

9) Canadian MP / June 9 / Gilles Villeneuve, Monteal

10) MP from Spain / June 23 / Barcelona, ​​Montmelo

11) MP from Austria / June 30 / Spielberg

12) UK MP / July 7 / Silverstone

13) MP from Hungary / July 21 / Hungaroring

14) MP from Belgium / July 28 / Spa-Francorchamps

15) MP from the Netherlands / August 25 / Zandvoort

16) MP from Italy / September 1 / Monza

17) MP from Azerbaijan / September 15 / Baku

18) MP of Singapore / September 22 / Marina Bay

19) US MP / October 20 / Texas, Austin

20) MP from Mexico / October 27 / Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

21) Sao Paulo MP / November 3 / Interlagos

22) Las Vegas MP / November 23 / Las Vegas Strip Circuit

23) MP of Qatar / December 1 / Lusail

24) Abu Dhabi MP / December 8 / Yas Marina.