Max Verstappen may need been the unlikeliest driver to interchange Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes – till now.
The chaos at Purple Bull means Verstappen has stunningly been quizzed a couple of shock exit, and a transfer throughout to their nice rivals.
However how would possibly this colossal transfer affect the remainder of the 2025 F1 driver market, which has already seen Hamilton confirmed for Ferrari?
Mercedes’ choices?
Toto Wolff’s “long-term” choice is to place Andrea Kimi Antonelli into their automobile, F1.com studies.
He’s nonetheless simply 17 and starting his debut season in Method 2 so 2025 would possibly arrive too shortly.
Fernando Alonso is the opposite key choice. At 42, he may be an attention-grabbing transfer, however he could be short-term.
However signing Alonso would give Antonelli time to develop into the driving force that Mercedes in the end need.
However Wolff was seen speaking to Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, every week in the past in Bahrain creating the hearsay that the Purple Bull star may transfer.
Mercedes haven’t but initiated critical talks with Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon or Alex Albon, the report claims.
Albon is contracted via 2025 however the different 4 could be up for grabs subsequent 12 months.
Wolff has insisted that Mercedes will take their time – however that may affect the remainder of the driving force market.
What’s Aston Martin’s Plan B?
Aston Martin wish to preserve Alonso for a 3rd season in 2025, and the driving force has pledged loyalty to them.
However Alonso can also be teasing retirement – which some interpret as a negotiating tactic.
If he leaves, Aston Martin may look to Sainz – who’s in determined want of a seat after being changed at Ferrari by Hamilton.
Gasly or Bottas may additionally come into the image. However so may Sergio Perez, if he’s ousted at Purple Bull.
Will Sergio Perez be axed at Purple Bull?
Christian Horner says that Perez’s future is determined by his outcomes and performances this 12 months. Final week in Saudi Arabia, he completed P2 behind Verstappen.
The staff additionally has Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson inside their RB ranks.
Ricciardo is extensively thought-about to be the likeliest different to Perez.
Williams’ Albon is also introduced again to Purple Bull in 2026, the report suggests, that means they might need a one-year stop-gap within the meantime.
Alpine driver search exit?
Alpine’s powerful begin to the season means Gasly and Ocon could also be contemplating their choices.
Ocon, as a Mercedes junior, will fancy changing Hamilton.
Jack Doohan and Victor Martins are Alpine juniors who may earn a step into F1.
However F1.com studies that “everyone seems to be ready for Mercedes to make a transfer” – that means till Wolff makes his massive resolution, the opposite drivers will wait…
