When George Russell had claimed Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari ‘won’t happen’ and brushed it off as a media bluff

That (Hamilton moving to Ferrari) won't happen. You read it in The Daily Mail, was it? I don't know what would happen before that, but... who knows. Russell’s statement on Lewis Hamilton’s future, via Channel 4 Sport.

The Briton’s confidence has since taken a hit with Hamilton’s shock news of switching to Ferrari power from 2025 onwards has shaken up the paddock. George Russell would be taking up the role of team leader since the news of Lewis Hamilton’s departure. He is set to be racing alongside a new teammate in 2025, with the hunt for a suitable driver already underway at the team situated in Brackley.

Who can replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes now that he is moving to Ferrari?

With the news of Hamilton departing Mercedes from the 2025 season, a question arises as to who would take up the seat left by the seven-time champion. The void left by Hamilton is a tough task to be filled by any driver

Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz seem to be the drivers that are under consideration for the vacant Mercedes seat. Alonso looks onto the performance of the new AMR24 before making any decision, while Sainz is left without a seat for the 2025 season and is a high-calibre driver.

The seat left at Mercedes is a highly contested place to be filled, but many young drivers also have an outside chance. Similarly, the Mercedes-backed Kimi Antonelli is in his rookie F2 season and could get that place if he performs well. Some people also think that Sebastian Vettel might un-retire to join Mercedes like his idol Michael Schumacher, but it seems highly unlikely.