Mercedes has two clear options to replace Lewis Hamilton if he retires, but he faces a problem | F1 | sports

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Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain ahead of the 2022 season. The Mercedes driver and his team were unhappy with the handling of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen pass on the last lap leading the Red Bull driver to the Drivers’ Championship.

Hamilton has not spoken to any media since then, other than giving a post-race podium interview right after the peak of the 2021 season, and has also remained quiet on social media.

The proud Briton didn’t post when he was knighted at Windsor Castle and also didn’t follow everyone else on Instagram including accounts like his dog Roscoe and his brother Nicholas.

In a new update this week, Sky Sports’ Craig Slater said: “I have heard from senior sources close to Lewis that whether or not he will be in the first race of the season remains unclear at this point.

“It’s been put to me like this. And the longer that goes on, the longer we don’t get an outcome from this investigation and some results from the FIA ​​as to how F1 should act going forward, and then the worse the situation is for Lewis Hamilton.”

This is from a senior source close to this situation.”

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Mercedes still expects Hamilton to line up on the grid in Bahrain in March, with Slater adding: “I’ve spoken to different people since they’ve had some contact with him. All in all they tell me they expect Lewis to return to trying to win an eighth world title in 2022.”

“What they explained to me though was that even if he seemed to acclimatize well at night, it hit him hard in subsequent days, what happened.”

But with the ongoing FIA investigation beginning to play an important role, it is clear that Hamilton’s return cannot be guaranteed. Especially if Slater’s sources are correct and the FIA ​​investigation will take a little longer.

If the staggering seven-time world champion decides to quit before the new season, that would leave the Brackley-based constructors’ champions scrambling for a suitable replacement.

George Russell will join the team from Williams this year and replace Valtteri Bottas but the Finn is taking a new role at Alfa Romeo, so bringing him back to side with Hamilton for 12 months is highly unlikely.

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Esteban Ocon was a junior Mercedes driver like Russell but happy in the Alpine and also on contract until 2024, which means recruiting him will take a big fee. It appears likely that this will be a move that will be reconsidered in 12 months’ time, if Hamilton does indeed retire in the coming months and a short-term replacement is found.

However, one potential issue is that the 2021-22 Formula E season begins in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 28.

This means that should Hamilton retire after that date, Mercedes will have to withdraw De Vries or Vandoorne from the Formula E lineup and then find a replacement for the series after the season has already started.

That said, it’s still likely an easier procedure, and certainly cheaper, than trying to take the Ocon off Alpine, but Mercedes is hoping to spare itself the logistical headache entirely and will hope that Hamilton chooses not to retire.

Russell has spoken enthusiastically about driving alongside his compatriot in a championship-defying car, and the all-British pairing is an exciting prospect.

Formula One fans hope it’s not just a possibility, but a reality. But if Hamilton does indeed pull out, Mercedes may indeed have their successor – at least in the short term – under their noses.

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