Mercedes have known for around three and a half months now that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving to join Ferrari for 2025. But they’re still no closer to naming a replacement.
It appears that team principal Toto Wolff is waiting for a definitive ‘no’ from Max Verstappen before he finalises his plans. Wolff held talks with the world champion following the Miami Grand Prix, but his concern about Mercedes’ lack of competitiveness remains.
Indeed, the Silver Arrows have yet to score a podium this year after six races, their longest drought since 2011. They’re already a whopping 175 points behind Red Bull in the standings.
However, they remain an attractive destination given that, not so long ago, they were winning eight consecutive titles. And the 2026 regulation changes will present an opportunity to return to the front.
That’s how Carlos Sainz, the victim of Hamilton’s move, may view the situation. But the problem for him is that Mercedes are only willing to guarantee him one season, aware Verstappen may be available for 2026.
The team’s 17-year-old academy driver Kimi Antonelli is also a contender. Wolff could bide his time until the end of the summer to give Antonelli a chance to prove himself in F2.
Valtteri Bottas refuses to rule out Mercedes return
Speaking on the Nailing the Apex podcast, Valtteri Bottas said he wouldn’t ‘discount’ a possible return to Brackley. Bottas raced for the team between 2017 and 2021, winning 10 Grands Prix and taking 20 pole positions.
He hasn’t scored a point this year for a struggling Sauber team but Mercedes may view him as a reliable pair of hands. An experienced figure like Bottas could be the kind of stop-gap Wolff is looking for if he plans to sign Verstappen in a year’s time.
The Finn knows he may lose his current seat after the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg. Ahead of their arrival in 2026, Audi seem keen to refresh their line-up and are hopeful of signing Sainz.
Asked about a potential Mercedes comeback, Bottas replied: “I’ll just say that anything is possible at this moment and everything is still wide open. There are many pieces of the driver market that still need to fall into place.
“I wouldn’t discount any option at the moment, let’s say. I’m open to many different things, but I also need to figure out what I actually really want, so I’ll leave it at that.”
Williams also an option for Valtteri Bottas
Bottas is also lining up plenty of more realistic options further down the grid. He’s held talks over rejoining Williams, the team he represented between 2013 and 2016.
James Vowles may have a vacancy alongside the newly-resigned Alex Albon, with Logan Sargeant vulnerable. Haas are also a candidate for the 34-year-old’s signature.
The American outfit are likely to sign Oliver Bearman as their replacement for Hulkenberg. But Kevin Magnussen is increasingly at risk of losing his seat and Bottas would be one of the preferred alternatives.
And finally, a move to Alpine is possible. Sauber’s fellow strugglers know that Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are exploring their options elsewhere ahead of the expiry of their contracts.
In addition to his sporting pedigree, Bottas would bring a desirable attitude to any team. Hamilton has called him his favourite teammate and a real ‘gentleman’.
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