Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for what promises to be an uncomfortable "conversation" with his current Formula 1 leader, Toto Wolff. The illustrious seven-time world champion is setting his sights on departing Mercedes by year-end, yet Hamilton is already keen to initiate talks about his 2025 stint with his next team, Ferrari. "At some stage I will have to start the conversation with Toto," the 39-year-old acknowledged at Suzuka, revealing, "I've never been in this position at this time of the year. So I'm not quite sure how to navigate it but right now I want to finish on a high here so all my energy is going into this. Of course, there's excitement for the future."
Speculation is rife that Hamilton is finding it hard to stay motivated as Mercedes has saddled him with a less competitive car for the third year running. "I'm a competitor first and foremost so I want to win," he stated, adding, "Thinking about next year is not going to help me do that."
Despite this, it's hardly surprising that George Russell, poised to become Mercedes' new frontrunner, is currently outpacing Hamilton and optimistic about what's ahead. "I think we all get our chance at some point," Russell shared with AFP. Yet, he anticipates his real opportunity might not arise until 2026, when Red Bull plans to deploy its engines in partnership with Ford and Mercedes eyes another shot at mastering the brand-new regulations. "I am 100 percent convinced that the new regulations in 2026 will allow Mercedes to return to the top because the change will be more fundamental than 2022 and there will be a lot of performance to be had with the new engine," Russell confidently stated. "With Mercedes' experience, I can't wait for 2026."
Russell also seems unperturbed by Hamilton's impending departure, considering "change is sometimes good" for a formidable team like Mercedes during tough phases. "He's done so many great things," Russell reflected on Hamilton, "he's been here for so long and we're kind of stuck at the moment. So I think this change is positive for him and positive for Mercedes because it gives us the possibility of starting from a clean sheet."
The prospect of Max Verstappen making an early move to Mercedes next year, despite his contract with Red Bull extending through 2026, is now seen as a strategic play by the Dutchman in anticipation of the new regulations. Fernando Alonso, likely first in line to fill Verstappen's spot at Red Bull, dismissed the idea of Verstappen leaving his prime position before 2025 as "zero." Verstappen, jesting at Suzuka, mentioned, "It all depends on if I want to also drive next year or not, you know," a nod to Alonso's delay in deciding about 2025. "But from my side, no, I'm very happy where I am," the triple world champion remarked. "And, yeah, we want to keep it that way."
However, even Adrian Newey, Red Bull's acclaimed designer, is rumored to be in talks with Aston Martin, who will take over Red Bull's works Honda engines from 2026. "I hope we can stay together," Verstappen was quoted by the Dutch publication Formule 1. "But if someone wants to leave, you cannot always stop that. I haven't talked to him about it and I don't know what's going on either - and I don't care. I don't feel like reading all about it. It is other people's job to make the car fast, but I would like for him to stay obviously."
