Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport has made a name, claiming that Carlos Sainz is Mercedes’ chosen one to fill Lewis Hamilton’s coveted seat from 2025.
The Italian day by day provides that, in accordance with certified sources, Sainz has signed a two-year cope with the Brackley squad that may see him race alongside George Russell in 2025 and 2026.
The rumour follows the announcement on Thursday by Aston Martin that Fernando Alonso will stay with the Silverstone-based outfit till no less than 2026.
The Spaniard’s signing was the primary domino to fall in a driver market that was set ablaze earlier than the beginning of the 2024 F1 season by Hamilton’s determination to hitch Ferrari subsequent 12 months, on the expense of Sainz.
Alonso was linked to Mercedes’ vacant seat, as was/is the staff’s protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whom staff boss Toto Wolff not too long ago described as the driving force within the “strongest place” to succeed Hamilton.
Nevertheless, it seems – fairly logically – that Mercedes would slightly see Antonelli first study the ropes of F1 with Williams, its engine buyer, maybe as early as 2025.
Sainz’ potential transfer to Mercedes has been described by many pundits as a no brainer given the Ferrari charger’s spectacular observe file this season.
The 29-year-old has stepped onto the rostrum in each one of many three races he is entered this season. Notably, he clinched a commanding victory in Melbourne simply two weeks after present process surgical procedure for appendicitis, an ailment that stored him out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Past his uncooked pace, Sainz possesses qualities extremely valued by Mercedes. He is identified for being a staff participant, prioritizing the general success of the staff slightly than solely specializing in private glory.
Moreover, his expertise in automobile growth could be helpful to Mercedes within the context of F1’s upcoming regulation overhaul in 2026 which is able to considerably influence automobile and engine design.
Pending affirmation by Mercedes of Sainz’s transfer to Brackley on the finish of this season, the three-time Grand Prix winner will doubtless stay on Pink Bull’s shortlist.
Helmut Marko not too long ago described Sainz’s present kind as “fascinating” whereas Pink Bull staff boss Christian Horner reckoned that he couldn’t dismiss the Scuderia driver’s candidacy given his current observe file.
Nevertheless, each Marko and Horner have additionally acknowledged that they might be more than pleased to increase Sergio Perez’s contract with Pink Bull into 2025 in mild of the Mexican’s sturdy begin to his 2024 marketing campaign.
However on paper, Sainz’s arrival at Mercedes could be a win-win situation for each events. Mercedes positive aspects a confirmed race winner and growth asset, whereas Sainz finds a aggressive staff with a robust championship pedigree.
Collectively, they will kind a formidable partnership able to difficult for high honors within the coming years, notably with the upcoming regulatory shift in F1.
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