In a whirlwind of news surrounding Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, several developments could potentially reshape the team’s future driver lineup.

With Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull being a subject of speculation due to growing internal tension, and Lewis Hamilton’s contract nearing an end, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has indicated a cautious approach to its 2025 driver lineup.

Verstappen’s Potential Move to Mercedes in 2025

Despite Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull running through 2028, rumors of a potential switch to Mercedes have intensified following a series of reported disagreements between Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, and Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner.

Jos Verstappen hinted in recent interviews that his son’s future with Red Bull isn’t entirely set in stone, leaving room for potential alternatives, such as a switch to Mercedes.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff addressed these rumors, emphasizing that the Brackley-based team is committed to improving its car’s performance before pursuing new driver agreements. He stated, “We need to focus on extracting more speed from the W14 and strengthening our team performance. Once we can consistently compete for podiums and race wins, we believe top drivers will naturally be interested.”

Hamilton’s Season and Possible Departure

Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 season has been a challenging one, with issues related to car performance and mechanical setbacks during races. Recently, Hamilton encountered floor damage in the Austrian Grand Prix, which cost him two and a half tenths per lap, affecting his chance of a podium finish. Mercedes has attributed the damage to rough curbing on the track, with Wolff acknowledging the high level of wear and tear Hamilton has managed in recent races.

After back-to-back podiums, Mercedes is finally seeing signs of improvement, though Hamilton remains candid about the car’s limitations. In response to Mercedes’ struggles, Hamilton described the performance gap to Red Bull in high-speed corners as “insane,” underscoring that the car lacks the downforce needed to keep up with Red Bull’s RB19.

Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2024, leading to ongoing speculation regarding his potential departure from the team and even Formula 1 altogether.

Antonelli in the Mix for Hamilton’s Seat?

In addition to Verstappen, another contender for Mercedes’ driver lineup could be its junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 17-year-old, who is currently competing in Formula 2, has impressed the Mercedes team, though his young age could complicate a move to F1. However, the FIA’s recent announcement regarding super-license regulations for drivers under 18 could provide an avenue for Antonelli to join F1 sooner than expected.

When asked about Antonelli’s prospects, Wolff reiterated that no decision had been made and that the team would take as much time as necessary before finalizing its 2025 driver lineup. “We want to observe how the driver market develops and make our decision based on performance. We have a lot of respect for Antonelli’s progress in Formula 2, but we’re also mindful of what’s best for the team overall.”

The Road Ahead for Mercedes

Amid all the buzz around potential driver changes, Mercedes is ultimately focused on improving its W14 to narrow the performance gap to Red Bull and Ferrari. With back-to-back podiums in Canada and Spain, the team has shown signs of steady improvement but is still well behind Red Bull in terms of consistent race performance.

For now, Mercedes fans will have to wait to see how the team’s driver lineup shapes up as Hamilton’s future with the team remains uncertain and Verstappen’s name lingers in transfer rumors. With all eyes on Mercedes’ development program, the team’s immediate goal remains clear: closing the performance gap and reclaiming its spot at the top of the F1 grid.