Who is on Toto Wolff’s wish list to succeed Lewis Hamilton?

According to recent reports, Toto Wolff, the head of the Mercedes F1 team, has already compiled a list of potential replacements for Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming season. The German newspaper Bild revealed that they are considering three candidates for the role, but Sebastian Vettel is not among them.

Although Vettel announced his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2020 season, his name has been making the rounds in the media lately as a potential option for Mercedes. However, it seems that the team has other plans.

It’s worth noting that Lewis Hamilton commented on Vettel’s potential as a replacement for him, stating that the German could be a quality addition to the team.

Which names are considered?

According to sources from “Bild,” Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, has plans to negotiate with three pilots or has already contacted them with an offer. The first driver on his list is Max Verstappen, the current world champion, who has been experiencing a rocky relationship with Red Bull recently due to the turmoil that has engulfed the team. Mercedes has put out feelers to capitalize on the uncertainty within the Verstappen camp, and Wolff sees this as an opportunity to lure the Dutchman to his team.

The second candidate on Wolff’s list is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, known as the “hero” of Mercedes. The Italian driver has dominated the F2 world, and his talent has caught Wolff’s attention. While Antonelli is still young and unproven, Wolff believes that he has the potential to slot in at a high level already and take risks.

The third name on Wolff’s list is Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion. Wolff has not ruled out the possibility of Antonelli and Alonso driving for Mercedes. He suggests that Alonso might be the first to sit behind the wheel of Mercedes, and after two seasons, Antonelli could take over from him. By then, the young Italian would have gained enough experience in cars with one seat during that period.

Wolff has clarified that he wants to take his time mulling over who to replace Lewis Hamilton with. He confirmed that it’s likely to be the summer before he commits to a clear direction forward. Mercedes is looking for a driver to help it maintain its dominance and challenge for the championship in the coming seasons.