Carlos Sainz disclosed that extensive discussions took place with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff regarding a potential move for the 2025 Formula 1 season. However, the Spanish driver confirmed he never came close to securing a contract as Mercedes sought a successor to Lewis Hamilton. These revelations highlight ongoing Lewis Hamilton Mercedes replacement talks during a pivotal transitional period for the team.
Sainz’s Position Amid 2024 ‘Silly Season’ and Team Changes
Last year’s early excitement erupted when Lewis Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari, a switch that directly affected Sainz’s future. Facing the certainty of leaving Ferrari after the 2024 season, Sainz explored links with multiple teams, including Red Bull and Mercedes, before ultimately signing a multi-year deal with Williams. When questioned on the likelihood of joining Mercedes as Hamilton’s replacement, Sainz answered plainly, “Not really.”
At the same time, Mercedes pursued Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with Wolff openly expressing his desire to sign the four-time reigning World Champion. After that option fell through, Mercedes decided to promote their young academy driver Kimi Antonelli from Formula 2 to fill Hamilton’s seat.
Sainz reflected on his interaction with Mercedes, stating,
“We spoke a lot with Toto and everyone else at the time and I was certainly one of the options that was considered,”
adding,
“But how close was I? You can ask Toto that.”
He also acknowledged,
“But I think he is very happy with Kimi Antonelli.”
The Uncertain Future of Mercedes’ Driver Lineup Beyond 2025
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, neither Kimi Antonelli nor George Russell currently holds contracts extending beyond 2025. This unresolved driver lineup presents a major decision point for Mercedes, especially with Verstappen still on the radar as a possible target. Verstappen, currently third in the Drivers’ Championship, trails leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points.
Speculation surrounds Verstappen’s contract due to a rumored performance-related exit clause potentially triggered if he falls outside the top four drivers after the Hungarian Grand Prix. With two critical races remaining before this cutoff, the situation remains fluid, although Red Bull holds a strong position in the standings with Charles Leclerc a further 46 points behind Verstappen.
Toto Wolff emphasized the importance of timely resolution, telling the media,
“You need to be respectable towards the stakeholders in all of that process,”
and added,
“The organisation, the drivers, everybody, you need to understand the way forward.”
He stressed a need to avoid delays, saying,
“And I don’t want to be sadistic in letting a driver wait, not taking any decisions when it should be taken.”
Wolff further committed to clarity soon, noting,
“Obviously, there’s lots of discussions around, and I’ve been open with it and transparent and at a certain stage, in the next couple of months – until the summer break, we need to know. Until the summer break, everything is going to be done.”
Significance of the Upcoming 2026 Season and Mercedes’ Strategic Decisions
The 2026 season will introduce significant regulation changes with new chassis and power units, a shift that parallels the 2014 engine changes which triggered Mercedes’ dominant streak, winning eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships. The choices Mercedes makes regarding its driver lineup and technical direction this year will set the tone for their competitiveness through this new era.
With established personnel like Hamilton stepping away and young talents such as Antonelli stepping in, Wolff faces a delicate balancing act to maintain stability while pursuing fresh talent and potential championship success. The resolution of Lewis Hamilton Mercedes replacement talks alongside the technical revolution in F1 will shape Mercedes’ path forward in a highly competitive landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton is openly passionate about veganism. He has also invested in businesses that focus on plant-based products.