For the 2025 Formula One season, Mercedes has selected Carlos Sainz to succeed Lewis Hamilton, according to the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian journal for Ferrari maintains that Sainz will sign a two-year contract with Mercedes and partner with George Russell.

Just 24 hours after Fernando Alonso’s announcement that he will be joining Aston Martin for 2025 and beyond, there are rumors that Mercedes is making a decision regarding their driver lineup.

Alonso chose to stick with Aston Martin despite being strongly linked to Mercedes.

Sainz is the best driver available on the F1 driver market for 2025, with Alonso now signed.

Mercedes had hoped that, in light of Red Bull’s off-track issues, Max Verstappen was available.

Verstappen appears to be sticking with Red Bull, which is understandable given their recent on-track results.

Verstappen is still the overwhelming favorite to win the world championship this year after winning three of the first four races in 2024.

With a solid start to the 2024 Formula One season—he finished on the podium in all three races, including the victory in Australia—Sainz is a safe pick for Mercedes.

If the rumor is accurate, Sainz has been given a two-year contract with Mercedes.

The rest of the field will be impacted by Sainz’s arrival at Mercedes, especially their protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Like George Russell, Antonelli is anticipated to be employed by Williams for a few years.

Russell worked at Williams for three years before receiving a promotion to Mercedes with Hamilton.

Since Sainz was the top priority for Sauber/Audi, they will need to search elsewhere.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, the Alpine combination, have been named; Nico Hulkenberg is still in the running.

According to the same article, Sergio Perez’s stellar start to the season suggests that Red Bull will probably keep him.