After the shock announcement of Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari, the fallout continues in the world of F1.
Hamilton has one season left at Mercedes alongside George Russell, and while their final season as team-mates is expected to be a fireworks show, one potential replacement has been taken off the market by his current employers. It was removed.
With all that said, let’s jump into the action…
Jacques Villeneuve predicts 'showdown' between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff will face the difficult task of managing driver fitness through F1 in 2024, given Hamilton will step down at the end of the season and link up with rivals Ferrari. right.
And if Hamilton and Russell end up going wheel-to-wheel in future seasons, 1997 world champion Villeneuve believes there could be a spark.
Asked by Gazzetta dello Sport what will “enjoy us” this season, the Canadian replied: “Look how Mercedes handles the showdown between Russell and Hamilton.”
read more: Jacques Villeneuve foresees Mercedes' showdown and hopes to replace him
Red Bull tells Mercedes they are letting go of Daniel Ricciardo
Wolff has revealed little about who he would target to replace Hamilton, admitting to media outlets such as PlanetF1.com that he could settle anywhere from a rookie to an experienced F1 racer.
But if eight-time Grand Prix winner Ricciardo was potentially in mind, sadly Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has apparently told F1-Insider.com that Ricciardo is “not available.”
read more: Helmut Marko excludes one big-name candidate for Lewis Hamilton's seat
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Alex Albon's multi-year contract with Red Bull is undecided
Red Bull has its own challenges to address in the driver market and Ricciardo is seen as the frontrunner to replace Sergio Perez should his woes spill over into F1 in 2024.
However, just as rumors abounded in the media that Red Bull had turned to Albon, the previously fired driver who now races for Williams, sources told PlanetF1.com that there was no truth to the speculation. suggested.
read more: Alex Albon refuses to join Red Bull amid driver market rumors
Could Ferrari have acquired Lewis Hamilton years ago?
After Ferrari opted to extend Sebastian Vettel's contract in mid-2017, Hamilton publicly stated that his “dream” of driving for Ferrari was therefore on hold, at least for the time being.
However, Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari recalled Hamilton's visit to the Ferrari factory to pick up the new LaFerrari, telling respected Italian journalist Leo Turrini that Hamilton was “shocked”. He joked that Ferrari had perhaps missed their chance.
He said, “Lewis joked, if you would wait 12 months, I would come…''
read more: Lewis Hamilton's 'joke' gave Ferrari hope of signing driver
Fernando Alonso talks about 'disharmony' in partnership with Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007, competing with teammate Fernando Alonso, who formed an erratic driver pairing.
He spoke about it in DAZN's new documentary “Fernando.” The two-time world champion reflected on his “immature” and “tense” rivalry with Hamilton, as “Spygate” was born from the ashes of their partnership.
“There were a lot of things that happened that year that disrupted the harmony in relationships,” Alonso said. “We were young and inexperienced, it was my first time, and there were a lot of conflicts.”
read more: Fernando Alonso reveals details of 'breakdown in harmony' in partnership with Lewis Hamilton
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