Toto Wolff reveals Carlos Sainz in contention to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton for 2025

Toto Wolff reckoned that Carlos Sainz one of the candidates to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

Toto Wolff reveals Carlos Sainz in contention to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton for 2025

Toto Wolff (L), Lewis Hamilton (C), Carlos Sainz (R) (images via IMAGO).

Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari has created a vacancy at Mercedes for 2025. Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz at Maranello and the latter is currently seatless from the coming season. However, the F1 drivers market will open up at the end of this year. Hence, Toto Wolff revealed that Sainz was one of the contenders for a spot in one of the most pristine teams.

Lewis Hamilton sealed his shocking move to Ferrari before the commencement of the 2024 season. This caught everyone off-guard, especially Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was ousted from Ferrari and currently has no confirmation with a team. The 29-year-old even hinted at his current situation after scoring a victory at the Australian GP. Toto Wolff said that all the drivers available for Mercedes from 2025 have arguments in their favor.

The ones that are available, or that could be interesting for us, they all have arguments in favour of them.
Wolff said, as reported by racingnews365.com.
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Both young and experienced drivers are available at Wolff’s disposal. However, the Austrian was very cryptic regarding his statements about acquiring Carlos Sainz. The 52-year-old mentioned that even the young drivers or the mature ones had their own pros and cons. Wolff specifically pointed out Sainz, hence it is evident that the 29-year-old is one of the top contenders for Mercedes.

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Be it the very young ones, be it the very mature ones in the best years. Or Carlos.
Wolff noted.

Toto Wolff revealed he would ‘step back and monitor’ the situation before finalizing a driver

Toto Wolff has a plethora of options for drivers that could join Brackley by 2025. Additionally, Wolff also hinted towards a possible entry for Max Verstappen previously. Notably, Verstappen allegedly had an exit clause in his contract and could potentially enter Mercedes. However, the 52-year-old opened up and mentioned that it was a difficult choice because there wasn’t a clear criteria for a driver.

It’s a difficult choice because it’s not like there is a clear criteria for one and everything points to the other.

Wolff observed.
Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

As a result, Toto Wolff revealed that he would ‘step back and monitor’ the situation before finalizing a driver. A majority of the drivers that would be available would potentially sign with their own team. Hence, the team principal would take his time before finalizing a driver. Additionally, Sainz was reportedly considered for a position at Audi after the manufacturer’s arrival by 2026. Hence, these factors would play a major role in the 29-year-old’s prospects with Mercedes.

I just want to do a step back and just monitor the situation. Some of the guys mentioned may sign for other teams and so [I’m] just looking at it.
Wolff highlighted.

Despite the seatless situation for Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard is performing well in the 2024 campaign. Sainz’s absence at the Saudi Arabian GP due to appendicitis took a massive hit at his points in the drivers’ championship. However, the 29-year-old bounced back well from the surgery and would return to scoring well down the 2024 season. Sainz also gave a timeline recently for finalizing a team in Formula 1.

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