One of the biggest talking points in the Formula 1 paddock right now is who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes when he heads to Ferrari in 2025.
It’s one of the most coveted seats on the grid even if they’re no match for the Red Bulls and Ferraris this season.
A report from the German outlet Formel1.de has outlined who is in Toto Wolff’s thinking should he not secure his favoured candidate.
That candidate is no secret to anyone in the paddock right now, with Wolff setting his sights firmly on Max Verstappen.
The third-time world champion is going to be a four-time world champion by the end of the year unless something remarkable happens.
With Formula 1’s regulations not set to change until 2026 – and with concerns over that ruleset already, a delay is unlikely to be out of the question – it’s hard to see Verstappen giving up on a winning car.
However, there are scenarios in which the 26-year-old could decide to leave and Mercedes want to be at the front of the queue should that happen.
Mercedes need to prepare for an eventuality where Verstappen decides to stay at Red Bull and in that case it appears that the ‘top favourite’ for the seat is Carlos Sainz.
It makes sense for the 29-year-old to join the Silver Arrows in a straight swap considering his availability for 2025.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
Carlos Sainz the ‘top favourite’ for 2025 Mercedes seat if Max Verstappen turns down move
The 2024 Formula 1 driver’s market is carefully poised right now with almost every team and nearly every racer currently considering their options.
Wolff has already suggested that the next major move is going to happen imminently and when it does, that could set off a chain reaction.
The teams at the front of the grid are going to have the first choice over who they want in their line-ups for 2025 and beyond.
Red Bull still have to decide whether Sergio Perez deserves a new contract and they can only make that choice once Verstappen makes his mind up over whether he wants to leave.
Currently, it looks unlikely that Verstappen will be heading to Mercedes, making Sainz the potential favourite to partner George Russell next year.
Described by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner as a ‘demon in the wet’, he’s in the form of his life and wouldn’t be a huge downgrade if they can’t sign the current world champion.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Carlos Sainz has his pick of the team ahead of 2025 decision
The report from Formel1 suggests that Wolff is still waiting to find out whether Verstappen will decide to leave Red Bull at the end of the season.
However, if it doesn’t happen, then Sainz suddenly becomes the ‘top favourite’ to take Lewis Hamilton’s seat next year.
The talk in the paddock is he’s as quick as Fernando Alonso right now but easier to deal with.
Carlos Sainz has plenty of options on the table right now, including joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull as Perez’s replacement.
Aston Martin are on Sainz’s radar, while Williams have been in contact with the 29-year-old’s management for some time.
However, Audi are pushing the hardest to sign Sainz at the moment but it remains to be seen if he’s keen on a longer-term project when he’s shown he’s at the top of the game right now.
Verstappen might still be Wolff’s favourite for the Mercedes seat for 2025, but Sainz is still a very strong option should the Dutchman make his intentions to stay at Red Bull clear.
The post Report: ‘Demon in the wet’ now the ‘top favourite’ for 2025 Mercedes seat if Max Verstappen turns down move appeared first on F1 Oversteer.