P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes ‘bitten’ by new Norris, Leclerc F1 contracts in search for Hamilton successor
The shocking news broke on Thursday that Hamilton will be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season. This comes shortly after Ferrari re-signed Leclerc and McLaren extended Norris’s contract. Mercedes team boss Wolff seemed to dismiss the possibility of pursuing Leclerc and Norris as replacements for Hamilton. Wolff acknowledged that Hamilton’s decision and recent developments in the driver market have caught Mercedes off guard. He also mentioned George Russell as a potential leader for the team and emphasized the need to carefully consider the second driver’s seat. Wolff expressed openness to making bold choices and using this situation as an opportunity. However, he advised junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to focus on his F2 campaign instead of being distracted by rumors about the Mercedes seat.
