F1 star's move to replace Hamilton at Mercedes hits contractual snag

F1 News & Gossip

F1 star's move to replace Hamilton at Mercedes hits contractual snag

A new report suggests the proposed move has hit a roadblock over a 'key contract issue'

By Stuart Telford.

Saturday 13 April 2024 22:00

Mercedes have reportedly sounded out Carlos Sainz to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is heading in the opposite direction in 2025, but there is a catch…

Hamilton and Ferrari rocked the Formula 1 world when it was announced in February they would be joining forces after the end of the season, the joint-record champion racing for the sport's most successful team.

With Charles Leclerc the golden boy at The Prancing Horse, a product of their Driver Academy, it quickly became obvious that Sainz would be the one to make way for Hamilton.

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His is one of 10 drivers out of contract and the end of the year, and Italian media - La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera among them - reported that a move to Mercedes was as good as done.

No full agreement yet

But there is a potential bump in the road, according to F1 specialist outlet Analisi Tecnica.

"Sainz and Mercedes want each other. The Iberian considers the German manufacturer one of his best options, and the award-winning team think the Madrileno is a concrete driver for next season.

"However, some contractual details on both sides remain unsatisfactory. Carlos would like a multi-year contract: two years fixed with an option of third. Mercedes would prefer one year guaranteed to the option of a second under certain conditions.

"This is to have the freedom, possibly, in 2026, through a clause, to place another driver alongside Russell: [Andrea Kimi] Antonelli or the dream, [Max] Verstappen."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz