Eddie Jordan feels Sebastian Vettel ‘has to be’ in the mix to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes when the seven-time Formula 1 champion switches over to Ferrari in 2025.
The 36-year-old is, still, yet to return to the pinnacle of motorsport since Vettel walked away following the 2022 season. But Mercedes could turn to the four-time champion to take over Hamilton’s seat next year following the 39-year-old’s decision to sign a contract with Ferrari.
An escape clause in the deal Hamilton only agreed with Mercedes last August allows him to switch teams after the 2024 season. He had committed to spend this year and next with the Brackley team. But a second successive winless season enticed him to eye a new challenge.
Replacing Hamilton at Mercedes is ‘very attractive’ for Vettel
Reports by Sky Germany have already named Vettel as a possible candidate for Mercedes to replace Hamilton with. Additionally, F1 Insider reports returning to Formula 1 with the Silver Arrows is ‘very attractive’ for the German who can ‘certainly imagine’ a return to F1 in 2025.
Vettel opted to walk away from the series after 2022 owing to the results Aston Martin were producing. He finished both seasons for the Silverstone squad 12th in the drivers’ standings. The Heppenheim native further only scored 43 points in 2021 and then only 37 during 2022.
Jordan believes Vettel can help Wolff ease Mercedes’ distress
Vettel now sits fourth all-time for Grand Prix wins with 53 as Max Verstappen (54) surpassed his tally at the 2023 season-ending Abu Dhabi GP. Hamilton sits in first place with 103 ahead of Michael Schumacher (91). Vettel is also fourth for poles (57) and third for podiums (122).
So, with Hamilton leaving for Ferrari in 2025, former F1 team owner Jordan believes Vettel must be on Mercedes’ radar to partner George Russell. He also feels signing Vettel may help team principal Toto Wolff pacify some of the distress felt among the Silver Arrows’ hierarchy.
“I think Vettel has to be in the frame because of the major German contact,” Jordan outlined on the Formula for Success podcast. “And we know what happened with Michael before. He left Ferrari, where did he go to? Back to Mercedes. So, that’s a possibility.
He added: “If it was me, and the way that Formula 1 is progressing, I would look at Vettel. I think it’s a good choice. It makes sense for Mercedes [to have a] German driver in the car.
“I think Toto is under a bit of pressure with Mercedes as to why, for example, we weren’t aware of this before up until car launch time. It’s disturbing [and] distressing for the team.”
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