The surprising departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari kicked off the Silly Season early on February 1st. With Scuderia’s decision to release Carlos Sainz and keep Charles Leclerc for the ‘Hamilton Chapter’ in Maranello, Sainz, currently one of the most sought-after drivers in F1 and a recent winner of the Australian Grand Prix, is now available for hiring. This unexpected vacancy at Mercedes created the need to fill a seat they never expected to be vacant until Hamilton’s retirement.
However, the early union of Hamilton and Ferrari interrupted this narrative. The convergence of these two iconic brands in the sport seemed inevitable given the circumstances. Mercedes, in decline, and Ferrari, on the rise, mirrored the situation when Sir Lewis left McLaren over a decade ago. Once again, the 39-year-old winner of 103 Grand Prix races demonstrated his impeccable wit and timing.
When asked about possible replacements for Hamilton, Herbert, speaking to the press team at Inclave Casino, advised Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff to consider Carlos Sainz. Herbert described Sainz as a reliable and intelligent driver who could fit perfectly into the team. However, Herbert also speculated whether Mercedes would be willing to take on someone like Ollie Bearman and expose him to the intense pressure of such a prestigious position. Herbert believed that Bearman had proven his ability to handle the demands of a high-level seat in F1, specifically referring to his performance at Ferrari. Herbert expressed his excitement at the possibility of Bearman joining Mercedes, stating that it would be fantastic to witness it.
In a more realistic way, Herbert suggested that Ferrari would keep Bearman by offering him a seat at Haas F1 for the 2025 season. He praised Bearman for his outstanding debut and predicted a bright future for the young British driver. Herbert believed that as long as Bearman secured a place next year, his career would take off and he would become a star in the world of motorsport.
Currently, Bearman is still relatively unknown, despite his impressive F1 debut in Jeddah, where he replaced the hospitalized Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It is important to note that a single race does not define an F1 driver, as demonstrated by Nyck de Vries’ experience at AlphaTauri last year.
Meanwhile, over the years, Mercedes has heavily relied on George Russell to replace Hamilton. However, the younger of the two British drivers has not yet lived up to expectations. Similarly, Mercedes has not produced a series of poor cars that coincided with the arrival of the youngest driver in Brackley coming from Williams. To truly showcase his talent, Russell needs a high-quality car.
However, it is logical to assume that Russell will stay at Mercedes, and the team will not seek a newcomer to fill the seat, whether it be Bearman or Kimi Antonelli. Other reports suggest that Wolff is interested in luring Verstappen away from Red Bull and is considering the possibility of Sebastian Vettel making a comeback.
Aside from the potential hiring of Max from RBR, all other options bring a high level of risk compared to the guaranteed success Sainz would bring to the Mercedes team. It is worth noting that Mercedes has never had a Latin driver competing for them in the modern era.
Sainz has also been linked to a return to Red Bull and has been considered as a potential leader for Audi’s entry into F1 in 2026.
Regarding the search for Vettel, it is important to remember that the beloved four-time F1 world champion went through a similar decline to Daniel Ricciardo in his final years. He was clearly outperformed by Charles Leclerc at Ferrari before Aston Martin extended Seb’s fall.
In conclusion, we should not forget the poor form displayed by Dan, the Australian driver. Herbert noted Ricciardo’s difficulties and believes his chances of returning to the top are slim. According to Herbert, his teammate Tsunoda is faster, and that says a lot.
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The Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was an exciting race, full of twists and surprises. The race took place at the Yas Marina Circuit, one of the most challenging circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
Driver Lewis Hamilton, from the Mercedes team, clinched the victory after an impressive performance. Hamilton showed all his skill and determination by overtaking his competitors and crossing the finish line in first place.
The race was also marked by a series of incidents and accidents. Several drivers had mechanical issues, leading to retirements and collisions. Furthermore, the heavy rain that fell during the race made the track conditions even more challenging.
Another highlight of the race was the performance of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen showed his skill and courage by fighting for the podium, despite facing difficulties throughout the race. In the end, he finished in second place, securing valuable points for his team.
The next race of the Formula 1 season will be the Australian Grand Prix, taking place in Melbourne. Motorsport fans are eager to see more action on the tracks and find out who will be the next winner.
In summary, the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix was an exciting race, with many twists and surprises. Lewis Hamilton secured the victory, but Max Verstappen also had an impressive performance. Now, all eyes turn to the Australian Grand Prix, where the excitement will continue.
