Mercedes still haven’t confirmed their successor for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. It’s nearly five months now since they announced that the Briton would be joining Ferrari for 2025.
Academy driver Kimi Antonelli appears to be the favourite, but Mercedes may still have one or two reservations. At 18 (his birthday is in August), he would be the first rookie the team have fielded since their return to F1 in 2010.
After failing to score a point in Barcelona last time out, Antonelli has now slipped to ninth in the F2 standings. It’s worth noting, though, that his highly-rated Prema teammate Oliver Bearman is down in 17th.
2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg is among those to argue that it’s still too early for the teenager. And that has led Mercedes to consider potential stop-gap signings too.
The plan would be to hire a driver on an initial one-year deal, and then replace them with Antonelli when he’s better prepared for a top F1 seat. This was an arrangement offered to Carlos Sainz, but he rejected it.
Wolff also held extensive talks with the manager of Fernando Alonso, only for the Spaniard to extend his Aston Martin deal instead. There were tentative discussions with Alex Albon, but they went no further before he penned a new Williams contract.
Toto Wolff ‘doesn’t see’ Esteban Ocon joining Mercedes
Esteban Ocon also looked like a short-term contender for the Silver Arrows. A product of their driver academy, he spent a season as their reserve driver in 2019 between spells at Racing Point and Renault.
Wolff and Mercedes have continued to manage his career since. And the £92k-a-week driver (Spotrac) has been ‘waving the flag’ to indicate his availability for next year.
The door is open for Ocon to return after he agreed a mutual parting of ways with Alpine. On paper, he’s an attractive proposition, with one win and four podiums from 140 race starts.
But speaking to ORF, Wolff has virtually ruled out the move. While he says Mercedes are keeping their options open, Ocon isn’t currently being considered.
The 27-year-old may have damaged his reputation at the Monaco Grand Prix last month. Ignoring the instructions of his team, he attempted a move on teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap, and it led to dramatic contact between the two drivers.
“I don’t see that happening at the moment,” Wolff said of a possible Ocon reunion. “But we want to keep the decision open as long as possible so that we remain flexible.”
Why Haas could overlook Ocon for Kevin Magnussen
Since the confirmation that Ocon would be leaving Alpine, a switch to Haas has appeared the likeliest option. While Bearman is poised to replace Nico Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen could also leave to open up a spot.
Martin Brundle believes Ocon ‘will be there’ for 2025, having accepted that his Mercedes dream isn’t realistic. But journalist Rebecca Clancy says Magnussen shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
The team may see the Dane as a driver teenage rookie Bearman can ‘learn from’ next year. If Ayao Komatsu decides to go down this route, despite his close relationship with Ocon, then the Frenchman does at least have an alternative.
Having already signed Hulkenberg, Audi see him as their main alternative to Sainz – the top target for the second seat. They would offer Ocon the chance to remain with a works team ahead of their full-scale arrival in 2026.
The post ‘Don’t see that happening’: Toto Wolff admits Mercedes aren’t interested in £92k-a-week F1 driver appeared first on F1 Oversteer.