Just IN: Mercedes To hire ‘impressive’ 34-year-old as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement
Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has suggested a potential return to Mercedes for Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas.
The significant development making headlines is the imminent move of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari for the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season. The 34-year-old driver is already familiar with the team, and he holds a strong affinity for Ferrari. Hamilton has previously expressed his admiration, stating, “Together we’ve been part of a team that has delivered four Constructors’ Championships, and we’ve motivated one another to keep pushing through the ups and downs.”
Bottas back to Mercedes….
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) February 1, 2024
Acknowledging Hamilton as the best teammate he has had, he emphasized Hamilton’s impressive speed and resilience. However, Hamilton’s standout quality, in his view, is the exemplary human being and gentleman that the driver is, acknowledging Hamilton as even greater than he realizes.
Sky Sports pundit Chandhok suggests Bottas for Mercedes seat
Expressing his astonishment on social media, the seasoned driver and pundit remarked, “This is unreal!!! Biggest driver move shock since… Lewis left McLaren for Mercedes! Thought that Lewis would end his career at Merc but a chance to have a blast in the red car may have lured him in. Fascinating stuff…”
He continued his commentary with another tweet, succinctly stating, “Bottas back to Mercedes….” This suggests that the return of Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes is part of the noteworthy developments surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected move to Ferrari.
While Karun Chandhok’s suggestion may appear unexpected, there are potential advantages to Valtteri Bottas returning to Mercedes. His familiarity with the team is a significant asset, and despite Alfa Romeo’s challenges in the previous season, Bottas has demonstrated considerable speed.
Considering George Russell’s likely ascension to the role of the team’s primary driver, Bottas has proven to be an ideal supportive teammate. Additionally, Bottas’s willingness to accept a short-term contract could be advantageous, opening up opportunities for the emergence of young talents like Andrea Kimi Antonelli to join the team in the coming years. This strategic move could facilitate a smooth transition and succession plan for Mercedes.