
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 22, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Grand Prix and second placed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 22, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Grand Prix and second placed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Lewis Hamilton turned the driver market, aka silly season, upside down with his mega Ferrari announcement. This put Mercedes in hyperdrive to fill the shoes of the seven-time world champion with an equally talented driver. On the current grid, only Max Verstappen can fill the void left by Hamilton. Speaking about the possibility, Dutch former racer Michael Bleekemolen believes there is a possibility as the silly season always delivers crazy outcomes.
Wolff has already made attempts to contact the Red Bull man to replace Hamilton at Mercedes. However, his attempts have been deemed futile and especially ridiculed by the Austrian team’s advisor Helmut Marko stating, “Toto Wolff will try that, but he will be unsuccessful.”

via Imago
Toto Wolff, Team Principal, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Dutch Grand Prix, Motorsport, Formula 1, 2023 season, 27 08 2023 NLD, Formula 1, CM Circuit Zandvoort, 27 08 2023 Zandvoort Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/Grafx EP_AGF
However, speaking to F1 Maximaal, Bleekemolen stated there is still a possibility as nothing can be put past the “crazy” F1 silly season. He believes even though it won’t be a difficult possibility, he won’t completely rule it out.
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He said, “That seems like a difficult matter to me. He also knows that it is almost impossible to interfere, but things can get crazy. However, I don’t see it just happening.” (Translated via Google)
There is a possibility but not just yet. Tot Wolff‘s desire to find a perfect replacement will have to wait for now. However, the Mercedes boss can bank on the same mentality for change to land Verstappen’s signature in a few years which pushed Hamilton to Scuderia.
Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari to solidify his name in the history books
No one, especially in the world of F1, will forget Lewis Hamilton anytime soon, if ever. The seven world titles make him immortal and he can retire today and no one would question his legacy. However, the hunger to win more and the ambition for another world title at the age of 39 is what makes him such a fierce competitor.
This same desire, according to reputed Italian journalist Leo Turrini, made him move to Ferrari. This end of the career move by the Brit was not motivated by money but by legacy believes Turrini.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 26, 2023 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton before the race REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
Leo Turrini wrote, “Money. Money has nothing to do with it: Lewis is very rich, he was already overpaid where he was. In Ferrari, he will earn a little more but not a lot. He is a man worth fifty million euros per season, plus bonuses and sponsors.”
“But what pushed him towards Italy was the power of suggestion: winning the eighth title, record of records, with the car that belonged to Schumi and his mentor Lauda,” he added.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton remains unwavering in his determination to halt Max Verstappen’s dominance, despite enduring significant neglect from the FIA
Mercedes lost his faith after the last couple of seasons and their complacency and reception toward Hamilton’s desires and complaints. Now at Ferrari, he will be the focal point and he will also be able to scratch his itch to drive the iconic red car. Will it turn out in his favor? That remains to be seen.
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