With Lewis Hamilton Reluctant to Put Pen to Paper, 3 F1 Stars Emerge as Possible Candidates to Replace Him

Mercedes has fallen short in its challenge against Red Bull and, this year, against Aston Martin as well. In the rarest of rare instances, they find more in common with Ferrari than ever as they both struggle to make forward strides. They have found themselves panicking as they are trying to collect their stuff for the next season. But there’s another challenge in front of the Toto Wolff-led squad: the further extension of Lewis Hamilton’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of the year. With this challenge comes greater anxiety, something that hasn’t been experienced by any other team ever but Ferrari.

Earlier, both parties—Lewis and Mercedes—called the signing just a mere formality. However, things seem to have changed since this season began. The belief amongst the fans and the team is that the extension would only come if the promise is shown by next year’s challenger, which is already said to be in development. Moreover, a few wins at least this year would be required to keep Hamilton in Mercedes.

The challenge is not small. Quite possibly, a small extension, possibly for a year, is on the horizon, where Lewis will have one more go at the record-breaking eighth title. Otherwise, he either leaves or retires, probably triggering another silly season. Evaluating the options for Mercedes in either of these cases, the speakers at The Late Braking F1 Podcast said, “I think they have to go out and either poke someone. I don’t think their F2 driver Vesti, Vesti the Bestie, is the right choice for them at the moment. I don’t know who they go for. Leclerc.”

“Le plan. Le Plan. Great. Yeah. Esteban Ocon, was there before. They were foolish to let him go. Pierre Gasly till the end of the season,” they said, seemingly jokingly naming the two French drivers as options alongside Pascal Wehrlein.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Fate Rests on Max Verstappen’s Shoulders as Abu Dhabi Debacle Termed as the Final Chapter for the 7X Champ

Anyone filling in for Lewis Hamilton, even Charles Leclerc, as speculated by many, will have an unprecedentedly arduous task of matching his standards. The Briton’s departure, whenever that may happen, will mark the end of an era for the Silver Arrows, leaving a void that would appear impossible to fill.

What’s stopping Lewis Hamilton from signing the contract? 

The major problem holding Lewis back is said to be his deteriorating relationship with the team. For the first time in years, after all the phases in 2022, the driver called out his team and engineers for their lack of performance publicly. An unprecedented move by Hamilton hints at trouble times for Mercedes.

Moreover, Mercedes’ lack of faith and belief in their project didn’t help make things easy. Toto Wolff has already hinted at a possible departure of the seven-time champion when he said, “And if we cannot demonstrate that we’re able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere. I don’t think he’s doing it at that stage, but I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two,” as quoted by the Express.

WATCH THIS STORY: Bromance moments between Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton

Certainly, a contract extension doesn’t appear to be on the cards for now. With Leclerc’s frustration growing at Ferrari, a swap of the two drivers is also in the reports.