Peter Windsor suggests shock Mercedes switch for 26-year-old if Lewis Hamilton retires this year

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Veteran Formula 1 journalist and former team manager Peter Windsor has made a surprising suggestion that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes if the seven-time champion retires.

Lewis Hamilton is one of the oldest drivers on the grid and has achieved nearly everything there is to achieve in Formula 1.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor has suggested that the Monegasque driver might make the move to the Silver Arrows if Hamilton decides to hang up his racing gloves this year.

It’s been a disappointing period in Mercedes’s recent history over the last two years, winning just a single Grand Prix since the beginning of 2022.

George Russell claimed the only win of his F1 career in Sao Paulo two years ago, with Hamilton on his longest run without a victory in his time in Formula 1.

It means there’s even more pressure on the team to get things right heading into this season.

Team principal Toto Wolff has already shared what sim driver Anthony Davidson has told him about their latest car.

If the car can’t compete with Red Bull, or even falls behind the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, then Hamilton might decide it’s time to walk away from the sport.

Windsor has now suggested that if Hamilton does retire, Charles Leclerc could end up at Mercedes.

The 26-year-old is reportedly on the cusp of signing a new long-term deal with Ferrari.

However, the opportunity to make the switch to Wolff’s team might make him question the next step in his career.

Windsor suggests Mercedes switch for Leclerc

Speaking about the future of the grid, Windsor said: “I don’t think Lewis [Hamilton] will race too much longer if the Mercedes isn’t a great car this year.

“So, then you might see [Charles] Leclerc going to Mercedes and if Lewis announces his retirement early enough if he does, I’m not saying he does, but if the car’s not very good, Leclerc might go there.”

It’s hard to see Windsor’s suggestion coming true right now given the current state of Mercedes and Leclerc’s importance to Ferrari.

The 26-year-old will likely want his future decided before Hamilton makes any sort of retirement announcement.

Not only that, Hamilton has a contract that runs until 2025 anyway and it’s unlikely that he’ll want to step away from F1 before the end of that deal.