One Mercedes target for the 2025 season is now set to turn down an approach from the Silver Arrows, according to The Mirror.
Toto Wolff is looking for a driver to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who’s headed to Ferrari.
But the Austrian has seemingly been unsuccessful in his efforts to lure one driver to Brackley, based on The Mirror’s report.
Mercedes have the option to promote from within by hiring driver academy talent Kimi Antonelli.
However, teenager Antonelli is only three weekends into his Formula 2 career and they may decide to place him at Williams instead.
Wolff’s uncertainty over the Italian’s readiness has led him to explore some of the more established names on the current grid.
Reports have suggested that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, currently at Aston Martin, is among those in contention.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, the winner of the Australian Grand Prix, is also available after the Scuderia dropped him to make room for Hamilton.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, formerly a reserve driver at Mercedes, has also emerged as a potential option.
Max Verstappen won’t join Mercedes in 2025
In addition to the names above, Wolff has also seriously explored a sensational swoop for world champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen apparently appreciates the interest from Wolff, with one report this week claiming he was ‘increasingly likely’ to make the move from Red Bull.
Wolff has held ‘private’ talks with the 56-time winner and his father Jos to repair their relationship after the intense rivalry of the 2021 season, when the Dutchman edged Hamilton to win the title.
While there have been no ‘official’ discussions with the 26-year-old’s camp, Mercedes had hatched an ‘ambitious’ plan to sign him.
However, the Bulls are confident that he’s committed to the team until the end of his contract in 2028.
In a ‘blow to Wolff’, he’s set to shun their advanced and continue at Christian Horner’s team for 2025 and beyond.
Should Mercedes hire Carlos Sainz?
With Verstappen potentially off the table, Wolff could pivot to Sainz instead.
Up to this point, there have been few indications that the three-time race-winner will join Mercedes.
Damon Hill says the optics of snapping up Sainz may be a problem, so soon after Ferrari axed him for Hamilton.
However, Sky Sports F1 colleague Martin Brundle says he doesn’t understand why Mercedes aren’t considering the former McLaren man.
And Karun Chandhok has also urged Wolff to pursue the ‘A-list’ 29-year-old.
Sainz is one of three drivers with multiple race wins who isn’t currently under contract for next year, alongside Alonso and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
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