Hypothetical time - let’s say Lewis Hamilton announces tomorrow he’s retiring after this year. Who gets that Mercedes seat?
This is something I’ve thought about and I don’t think has gotten as much discussion as I figured it would. Who’s in line to take that second Mercedes seat if Lewis does decide to walk away?
I don’t think anyone in the junior program will go straight to Merc. Additionally, Red Bull are no gos in my opinion.
I think both Ferrari guys will do what they can to get out at this point. Slight lean to Leclerc because he does have his brilliant moments. I would have put money on Lando before Silverstone, but maybe he’s been convinced. I don’t think they’d take Alonso, Stroll isn’t going anywhere. I know Ocon used to be managed by Toto but I think he’s committed to Alpine. Gasly and Bottas haven’t been impressive enough since the start of 2022 to be in consideration, in my opinion. Ricciardo will need a hell of a rest of 2023 to be a contender. I highly doubt they’d go to Mick, could they potentially poach Albon from Williams and put Mick in his place? The story is Hulk was going to be their other driver way back when, has he done enough to be in the conversation?
My personal top three most likely is Leclerc, Albon, Norris. What do you think?
My initial thought went right to Albon, he's shown a ton of potential at Williams and moving to Mercedes seems a logical progression, similar to how George got there. However, he has been quoted as saying that his future is with Williams, and I think he'd love to be in that car if they make the same kinds of strides McLaren just made last weekend.
Leclerc and Sainz both seem pretty depressed at Ferrari right now, feeling all of the strategic blunders. Leclerc I think is more committed to them in the long term, whereas I can see Sainz applying for any top-team spot that comes open.
So I mostly agree with you, I'll put out Sainz and Albon as my choices.
Yeah Leclerc is an odd one the more I think about it. As much as Ferrari strategy screws both of them he’s more, I don’t know, faithful to them in making the calls. Sainz is more questioning and argumentative (I mean, he’s right most of the time). If I had to go between who would leave first I think you’re right. I just feel that Merc would try and pursue Leclerc harder. Unless their goal is a #2 behind George, where in that case Carlos might fit that particular mold better.
Hard to say. Mercedes has a laughably poor talent pipeline, I can see them try and poach one of the Ferrari drivers, but other than that? No idea.
Norris seems comfortable in McLaren, Albon in Mercedes would be a great fit, but I'm not sure if that creates issues with Red Bull, and these are the two options that come to mind. If Colapinto was an option, I feel like they would nick him, as he's part of the Williams academy, reasonably talented and there were precedents for Williams/Mercedes driver collaborations in the past.
Yeah I’m thinking that they need to poach someone from outside. The most qualified person in their system is Mick, and I don’t think they’d put him in there. I feel like everyone is gonna get the George treatment where they get sent to Williams for a couple years (at least this is how it works now, different if Williams can produce a good car).
This is why I’m leaning to if they try to get Alex they’ll package with Mick returning in Williams. Slight possibility of Vesti if he ends up winning F2. And you’re right, that is all Red Bull program shenanigans aside.
I could see Mercedes making Norris their priority, but I'm not certain he'd be all in. It sounds as if he has rejected Red Bull before.
Norris is exactly where my mind went too, they seem to prefer English drivers and it would be a ‘step up’, but he really does seem loyal to McLaren so I don’t know if he would.
Yeah he has been my first thought, but the upgrades in Austria look promising. Depends on if they can nail it from the opening races instead of always starting on the back foot.
Albon in the Merc would be scary fast I think. Plus, freeing the Williams seat up would give Mick a place to go which works in Toto's favor as his agent.
Is Toto really his agent? I knew it was that way with Bottas and Ocon at one point but I didn’t know he snatched up Mick.
I think from Merc’s perspective, Lando would be the first choice. Then Albon, giving Mick the Williams drive. I don’t believe Vesti is super high on the list right now.
If it happened tomorrow, I think they would be weary of bringing in a driver from another series as well. Merc backing Nyck De Vries in the past has not really benefited anyone. Think this would rule out any of the Indy drivers.
Yeah I agree. I mean if Vesti was demolishing everyone it would be a different story maybe. But yeah taking Alex and giving them Mick seems to make the most sense to me at the moment.