In one of the most significant driver moves in Formula 1 history, Lewis Hamilton will depart Mercedes at the end of this season to join Ferrari.
That now leaves a prized seat open for the 2025 campaign.
The Sporting News outlines some potential replacements for the seven-time world champion.
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Who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1 next year?
Kimi Antonelli
Replacing a seven-time world champion with a teenager would be bold, but F1 may be due for a shakeup.
Antonelli – a Mercedes junior – is making his F2 debut with Prema this season after skipping F3, and appears destined for the very top.
The Silver Arrows reportedly rate the 17-year-old very highly – Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz believes Mercedes view the Italian as "the next Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc".
If he shows promise in an F2 field, Mercedes could have an interesting decision on their hands.
It'd be a risk, but a very exciting move nonetheless.
MORE: Who will Carlos Sainz drive for next season?
Frederik Vesti
Vesti is another option for Mercedes if they are looking to bring in a young gun.
The 22-year-old is considerably more experienced than Antonelli, having spent two seasons in F2 and F3, respectively.
Despite not winning any of those campaigns, he has been given the role of Mercedes reserve driver for 2024.
Notably, he drove in two practice sessions for the team last year and impressed on track.
Honourable mentions
A return of former Mercedes man Valtteri Bottas is also not off the cards, with the Finnish driver likely to bring experience and a cool head.
Mick Schumacher was dropped by Haas after a challenging 2022 rookie season. He is currently a Mercedes reserve driver and his famous father Michael even drove for the Silver Arrows. A promotion to full-time driver may be unlikely, though.
Why is Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari?
Why Ferrari wanted Hamilton is clear. The iconic racing brand has been looking for a driver to match its illustrious pedigree for some time and has struggled – relatively speaking – in recent years on the track. Ferrari has not had a driver world champion since Kimi Raikkonen won in 2007.
Chairman John Elkann wanted to land a big name and has reportedly long been a fan of Hamilton, per ESPN. With Ferrari's No. 2 driver Carlos Sainz in contract discussions, that created an opening for Hamilton at Ferrari. Sainz will be moving to Williams for 2025.
It's not entirely clear what prompted Hamilton's exit from Mercedes. He and Mercedes have endured back-to-back disappointing seasons, with his most recent win coming in late 2021.
Despite that, Hamilton still signed an extension with Mercedes, inking a two-year deal on August 31, 2023.
Hamilton has been connected with Ferrari at points throughout his career, including during his 2023 contract negotiations with Mercedes. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was confident that while Hamilton and Ferrari met, his man would remain with Mercedes.
The allure of racing for the iconic brand of Ferrari, coupled with long-term concerns over winning at Mercedes, may have resulted in Hamilton changing teams. Though Ferrari, like other racing teams, has struggled to keep up with Red Bull, the chance to win with an iconic brand could further build on the historic legacy Hamilton has already cultivated within the sport.
When will Lewis Hamilton join Ferrari?
Hamilton will start racing for Ferrari in the 2025 F1 season.
He has signed a 'multi-year' contract.