F1 rumours: Lewis Hamilton’s successor has been chosen / Formula 1

Champion Max Verstappen is currently describing what is happening on the track. The Dutchman returned to winning ways in Suzuka after a zero in Melbourne through no fault of his own to claim his third win of the year. He also got an extra point for the fastest lap of the race.

The Red Bull Racing star leads the World Championship ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez and Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The young man had to swallow a bitter pill in Saudi Arabia because he had to undergo surgery on his swollen appendix and the Spaniard was unable to take part in the third practice session, qualifying and the race. He returned to Australia victorious.

The good form of the son of the rally legend of the same name is causing a lot of talk, after all, Sainz is looking for a cockpit because he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari after the current season. The 29-year-old from Madrid is considered the hottest candidate to succeed the seven-time Mercedes champion.

Colleagues at “Gazzetta dello Sport” are even sure that the former Ferrari driver has signed a two-year contract with the star brand’s factory team. Accordingly, Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli should be given more time, for example to gain Formula 1 experience with the Mercedes Williams customer team, before he joins the German automaker’s team.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has not yet given any indication when it comes to pairing drivers from 2025. Since the announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s departure at the end of the current season, the Viennese has reiterated that he wants to take his time to decide his successor.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0