When Lewis Hamilton eventually retires from Formula 1, Mercedes will need to adapt. While they will try to keep him around for as long as possible, they must have a succession plan in place.
Hamilton has a contract that keeps him with Mercedes until at least the end of 2025. By then, he will be 41 years old. However, his long-time rival Fernando Alonso, who is 42, is still a competitive driver in the sport. This shows that age is not necessarily a limiting factor.
Mercedes will need to be prepared for a future without Hamilton. They will need to develop new talent that can carry on the team’s success. There are several drivers in the Mercedes junior program who could potentially step up to the main team. This includes the likes of Frederik Vesti, Olli Caldwell, and Paul Aron.
Mercedes will also need to consider drivers from other teams and junior programs. For example, Oscar Piastri is a promising young driver who is currently with McLaren. Nyck de Vries is another talented young driver who is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes.
The key for Mercedes will be to identify and develop the right talent.
When Lewis Hamilton decides to retire from Formula 1, Mercedes will need to find a replacement. While they would like him to stay as long as possible, they know it’s not a long-term solution. Luckily, they have a couple of drivers in their ranks who could step up when the time comes.
One of them is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 17-year-old who is making waves in the junior categories. Team principal Toto Wolff has praised him, but he’s also warned against overhyping the young driver.
Despite that, Antonelli has been handed a top Formula 2 seat with Prema for 2024. He’ll be skipping F3 altogether, a clear sign that Mercedes sees him as a star of the future.
The other driver who could step up is Frederik Vesti. He’s currently in F2, and has shown flashes of real potential. Mercedes will be keeping a close eye on his progress, and he could be ready to step up if the opportunity arises.
Of course, there are also other drivers outside of the Mercedes program who could be considered.
Oscar Piastri is a promising young talent currently with McLaren.
For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his promotion to Formula 2 is an important step in his career. If he continues to perform well, he could be on track for a future in Formula 1.
With the right support and opportunities, he could follow in the footsteps of George Russell, who spent three years at Williams before moving to Mercedes. This approach gave Russell valuable experience and helped him to be ready for the demands of a top team.
While Antonelli is still early in his career, he has the potential to be a future star of the sport.
While Andrea Kimi Antonelli is seen as a future prospect for Mercedes, Esteban Ocon is already a proven F1 racer who could fill Hamilton’s shoes. Ocon is managed by Mercedes and continues to receive support from the team, even though he races for Alpine.
This is a valuable asset for Mercedes, as it gives them an experienced driver who could step in if needed. It also shows that Mercedes is committed to supporting their drivers, even if they end up racing for other teams. This is an important part of their approach to developing young talent.
