29-year-old driver now ‘gunning’ to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025

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Lewis Hamilton will no longer be a Mercedes driver in 2025 but all eyes are now on who might replace him and Carlos Sainz is naturally a name being linked with his seat.

The 29-year-old Spaniard found out over the winter that this season will be his final year with Ferrari before he’s replaced by the seven-time world champion.

Speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast, journalist Rebecca Clancy believes he’s now targeting a straight swap with the Brit going into next year.

Sainz ‘gunning’ for Hamilton’s Mercedes seat in 2025

The news that Lewis Hamilton will be driving for Ferrari next year sent shockwaves down the Formula 1 paddock.

The driver market was set to open up ahead of the 2025 campaign after every single driver retained their seat going into this season.

However, Lewis Hamilton was one of the few drivers contracted beyond 2024 and his move has opened up one of the most desirable seats on the grid.

While three-quarters of the grid is entering the final year of their deals, Carlos Sainz is now the only driver who can’t renew his current contract.

Understandably, Sainz now sees an opportunity to take Hamilton’s spot at Mercedes heading into 2025.

The two-time race winner is a very quick driver and it was going to take someone of Hamilton’s calibre to see him lose his seat at Ferrari.

Toto Wolff has plenty of options available to him, but the balance of Sainz alongside George Russell could really appeal to him.

Mercedes have big decision to make when replacing Hamilton

Talking about who Wolff might target going forward, Clancy said: “It’s going to be mad what happens now. Carlos Sainz is gunning for that Mercedes seat.

“Could it be a straight swap? Absolutely could be possible. Fernando Alonso is definitely talking like he’s in the running for that seat.

“There are quite a few names in the running for that seat.”

Sainz has been backed to snub replacing Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025 by former driver Ralf Schumacher.

He thinks the Spaniard might join one of their rivals instead, but ultimately, he now needs to be patient and he what opportunities arise.

The best thing Sainz can do now is go out on track and prove he deserves to be in the best car possible.

So many drivers are in a similar position but no one can point to the fact that they prevented the most dominant car in Formula 1 history from completing a perfect season.