The aftermath of the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix left Mercedes in turmoil, as both drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, expressed frustrations with their team’s performance, while new developments off the track fueled controversy.

Hamilton and Russell Struggle in Zandvoort Qualifying

The Dutch GP saw Lewis Hamilton and George Russell grappling with a sudden lack of pace, despite a promising start to the weekend.

After exiting qualifying in Q2 and receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Sergio Pérez, Hamilton’s starting position was further impacted, dropping him down to P14 following Alex Albon’s disqualification.

The seven-time world champion managed to finish the race in P8, but voiced his disappointment, suggesting a top-five finish might have been possible with a better qualifying session.

“The car didn’t feel as strong as the last race. We need to analyze whether our upgrade is delivering or not,” Hamilton said post-race.

Russell, who started from P4, also found himself mystified by the team’s sudden drop in pace. Despite finishing one place ahead of Hamilton in P7, he expressed disbelief at how their performance deteriorated after a solid start to the weekend.

“I’m just surprised by the lack of pace, really. I don’t know where that disappeared to,” Russell commented, highlighting how Mercedes had been competitive in six of the last seven races but suddenly lost ground in Zandvoort.

Mercedes’ Frustrations Heightened by Verstappen Meeting Rumors

Beyond the on-track struggles, tensions escalated after rumors of a private meeting between Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s reigning champion, Max Verstappen, circulated in the paddock. Wolff, who had publicly pursued Verstappen as a potential replacement for Hamilton in 2025, confirmed meetings with Verstappen’s management but revealed that talks had ended with an agreement that Verstappen would remain at Red Bull.

Wolff had hoped to sign the three-time world champion to bolster Mercedes’ lineup following Hamilton’s planned departure to Ferrari in 2025. However, despite the speculation, Verstappen denied the meeting took place, further adding to the intrigue surrounding the talks.

“No, I don’t remember,” Verstappen quipped when asked about the meeting, but he later clarified that he had no issue with Wolff speaking publicly about him.

Kim Antonelli Set to Replace Hamilton in 2025

With Verstappen now out of the picture, Mercedes is expected to promote their young talent, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to partner George Russell from 2025 onwards. Antonelli, a highly-rated prospect within Mercedes’ junior program, has steadily impressed the team with his performances in Formula 2 and private tests in Mercedes’ older F1 machinery.

The 18-year-old Italian will make his official debut for Mercedes during the first free practice session at next week’s Italian Grand Prix, offering fans a glimpse of what the future holds for the team. Antonelli, despite his young age, has already secured multiple victories in his rookie F2 season and is seen as a long-term investment for the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton’s Final Season and Mercedes’ Future

As Hamilton prepares for his swansong with Mercedes before joining Ferrari next season, the focus now turns to the future. Toto Wolff acknowledged that while Verstappen won’t be joining the team in 2025, the door remains open for the Dutchman beyond that year. However, for now, Wolff is committed to building a competitive lineup around Russell and Antonelli.

Despite the disappointment at Zandvoort, both drivers remain optimistic about bouncing back for the remainder of the 2024 season. However, with Hamilton’s time at Mercedes drawing to a close and the team grappling with unexpected performance issues, the pressure is on to deliver results and ensure a smooth transition into the next era of their F1 journey.

As the Italian Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Antonelli’s FP1 debut and whether Mercedes can reclaim their lost momentum.