Lewis Hamilton: Who should Mercedes replace Brit with if he retires? Who will win title?

Mercedes boss hopes ‘robbed’ Lewis Hamilton will continue racing

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Mercedes drivwe Lewis Hamilton has remained silent since suffering a painful world title defeat against Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. Team boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out the Brit’s retirement, which presents questions regarding his potential replacement, and the next world title winner in his absence, if he does indeed walk away.

When it comes to the latter question, reigning world champion Verstappen may be considered a front-runner. 

The Dutchman pipped Hamilton at Yas Marina in December, and will take some beating in 2022 if Red Bull produce another competitive car. 

The circumstances of Verstappen’s victory are central to Hamilton’s retirement rumours, with the Silver Arrows feeling cheated at Michael Masi’s late decision to wipe out the Brit’s lead. 

An FIA investigation is ongoing into the Abu Dhabi season finale, and the outcome could determine whether Hamilton stays or goes. 

But with time ticking before the start of the new season, Mercedes may have to plan for the eventuality of his retirement. 

With most of the sport’s top drivers already tied down to their respective teams, Wolff may be driven towards a host of rogue choices. 

Esteban Ocon earned his maiden F1 win in 2021 for Alpine, but he is still effectively managed by Wolff as a former member of the Mercedes young driver programme. 

Elsewhere in their list of potential options, Nick de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne are both part of the Mercedes Formula E team and could be invited to step into an F1 seat. 

Pierre Gasly had a superb season with Alpha Tauri, and there could potentially be scope to reverse the decision which saw Valtteri Bottas swap the Silver Arrows for Alfa Romeo. 

If Hamilton decides that his F1 career is over, his replacement, whoever that turns out to be, would be in line to partner George Russell in 2022. 

As members of Mercedes, who have won the Constructors’ Championship for eight consecutive seasons, both would be in contention for the world title, alongside a collection of F1’s best talent. 

Have your say on who Mercedes could replace Hamilton with, and who could win the world title in his absence below in Express Sport’s latest F1 poll…

Source: Read Full Article