Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Carlos Sainz is a realistic option for 2025.
Like most rounds of 2024, the Miami GP was a mixed bag for Mercedes. From a pure performance perspective, the W15’s serious limitations cannot be denied. In this sense, Mercedes can only be disappointed when they see their customer team – McLaren – claim victory. Still, as ever, the F1 news headlines surrounding the Silver Arrows go beyond their on-track performance.
With Lewis Hamilton finishing P6 and George Russell in P8, Mercedes at least secured a reasonable points haul. They consolidated 4th place in the Championship, a position which – barring an unlikely turn of events – they could stay in for the rest of 2024.
As ever, speculation continues regarding the team’s driver selection for next season. Max Verstappen remains an attainable target for the Brackley-based team, at least in the eyes of Toto Wolff. Considering the current performance at Mercedes, the Dutchman is unlikely to jump ship before 2026 at the earliest.
Mercedes mention Carlos Sainz as a potential candidate
Still, the Mercedes team principal believes every option is worth exploring. Speaking of which, he mentioned Carlos Sainz as a viable option for the team:
“I think we’ve talked about the possibilities,” Sky Sports quotes him as saying.
“I want to be fair to these guys and not make it look like we are playing chess with humans. Because we are not doing that.
“I think we want to take our time, see where Max’s thinking goes.
“And at the same time, monitor the other drivers. Carlos [Sainz] was very strong in Miami again and that’s why we are a little bit in observation mode at the moment.”
Sainz and Verstappen obviously represent the more established targets for Mercedes. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Kimi Antonelli is still being evaluated. The 17-year-old continues to rack up significant mileage in F1 machinery.
Toto Wolff has been careful to try and minimise the hype surrounding Kimi Antonelli. However, at this stage, the F1 news space is littered with articles about the Italian.
Only last weekend, the FIA confirmed they received a request to receive a special dispentation for the Mercedes junior. If accepted, he would be able to compete in F1 before turning 18 years old.
However, both Mercedes and Williams – who are understood to have sent the request – have ruled out Antonelli earning a full-time seat before 2025. Instead, his first step will likely involve competing in Free Practice sessions.
Whilst he continues to be evaluated, more established drivers like Carlos Sainz remain on the German outfit’s radar.
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