Damon Hill says 24-year-old is ‘definitely’ in contention to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

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Damon Hill has suggested that McLaren driver Lando Norris is ‘definitely’ in contention to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Despite signing a new long-term deal with McLaren in the winter, he believes Mercedes will still be keeping a very close eye on the 24-year-old.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 in the build-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix, Damon Hill was pondering who might end up being George Russell’s teammate next year.

Hill says Norris is ‘definitely’ an option for Mercedes

The racing may have finally started on track, but speculation about changes in the paddock isn’t going to slow down.

There are so many drivers racing for their F1 careers this year that it should create some scintillating racing.

Unfortunately, the status quo was maintained in Bahrain, with a Red Bull one-two followed by a pair of Ferraris.

Lewis Hamilton might be encouraged by his new team’s good start but will hope they can close the gap to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez before he joins them in 2025.

It means Mercedes need a new teammate for Russell next year and Damon Hill believes Lando Norris is still an option.

He would be incredibly expensive given the new deal he’s recently signed, but that hasn’t stopped F1 teams in the past from making changes if they think it’s the right call.

Norris joined by a familiar face on potential Hamilton replacement list

Speaking about who Toto Wolff might be keeping an eye on, Hill said: “As for who goes in here [Mercedes], [Alex] Albon could be, definitely Lando [Norris].

“He’s not in a bad team, he’s signed an extended contract with a team that’s still good and it could get better, but it used to be that if there was an opportunity somewhere else, they could always find a way to buy out a driver, so Zak might be sitting on a very profitable contract.”

Norris has always been on Red Bull’s shortlist of potential teammates for Max Verstappen and it would be a surprise if Mercedes aren’t also monitoring his situation as Hill suggests.

Whether they could justify paying out his multi-year deal when there are so many other drivers, such as Carlos Sainz, and potentially Esteban Ocon, available in the winter is yet to be seen.

Alex Albon is another man on Hill’s radar for Mercedes but he too will still be under contract for 2025.

He has plenty of ambition to achieve that first Formula 1 race win with McLaren and things would have to get very bad for him to try and leave.

Norris had faith through their tough patch 12 months ago and that paid off.

They’re starting 2024 in a much stronger position and he and Oscar Piastri will be hoping they can kick on in the same way this season.