Wolff hints at 'bold' driver choice to replace Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the Formula One season may prompt a bold choice of replacement, according to team boss Toto Wolff on Friday.
The Austrian told reporters that Hamilton's decision came too late for them to consider some obvious contenders, including McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who signed new contracts last month.
"The timing bit us a bit," he said. "But I always like change because change provides you the opportunity."
The open driver market for 2025 still provides plenty of options, with more than half of the grid out of contract at the end of 2024.
With race winner George Russell under contract, the decision on the second seat was "much more comfortable" and marked a departure from 2016, when Nico Rosberg stunned F1 by retiring days after winning the title for Mercedes.
"Maybe it's a chance to do something bold," Wolff suggested, adding that Russell had the potential to be the team's next big driver after "going toe-to-toe" with Hamilton.
"He is of the generation of Lando and Leclerc and some of the others and I couldn't wish for a (better) new team leader when Lewis leaves."
"We have such a solid foundation, such a quick and talented and intelligent guy in the car that we just need to take the right choice for the second seat. And that's not something I want to be rushed in."
Wolff said he hadn't decided whether to go with experience or a rookie.
Mercedes has promising 17-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli on their books, and he has been tipped as a possible successor, but Wolff warned against putting too much pressure on the youngster when asked if he could be the bold choice.
Antonelli has been with Mercedes since he was 11 and has excelled in the junior series. He is set to race in Formula Two this year.
Wolff stated that he did not want speculation or rumours to cloud the Italian's mind ahead of the F2 season.
"He's just stepped out of karts a few years ago and he's not even 18. So I would rather not start any speculation about Kimi going into Formula One at that stage," he said.
SportsLigue