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Mercedes Encouraged to Dump Lewis Hamilton for F1 Prodigy With 0 Wins: “Number 1 Pick”

Published 02/14/2023, 12:30 PM EST

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The synergy of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes has been the most successful in the history of Formula 1. While nobody wants the good times to end, the 7x champion will have to bid goodbye to the sport in the coming years. As much as the team wants the Brit to continue with them forever, they will have to look for someone to fill in for him. Journalist and former F1 driver, Karun Chandhok pitches in just the man for the job.

He believes that the talented man at McLaren, Lando Norris is the right man to replace fellow Britton, Lewis Hamilton. From out performing the 8x GP winner, Daniel Ricciardo, to becoming the only driver outside of the top three teams to clinch a podium in 2022, Norris has always been seen performing at the highest of his capabilities. Talking about performing at highest capabilities, the 7x champion is yet to renew his contract with the Silver Arrows. And even if he does renew it, it won’t be for eternity. So ideally the Brackley outfit should begin their hunt for the driver to partner George Russell.

via Reuters

Speaking to Autosport, Chandhok said, “Where is [Norris] going to go, is the question. He can stay at McLaren, I think, until that happens, basically. I think McLaren can safely hold on to him until that happens.”

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Understanding that buying out Norris’s contract from his current team and negotiating his exit won’t be easy, the journalist puts out a word of caution for the Mercedes. He said, “But, let’s say we get to the end of this year and Lewis suddenly decides ‘I’ve had enough, I’m gone’. Then I feel like it’s going to be quite a complicated process because, no doubt about it, Lando has got to be the number one pick – he’s got to be Mercedes’ number one pick to replace Lewis.”

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The idea of a Brit in place of the outgoing one is what the ex F1 racer is hell bent on. He sees no candidate better than Papaya team’s racer to stand in for Hamilton. Moreover, he sees no team better than Mercedes to harbor him.

The Pundit doesn’t see Lando Norris going to Mercedes’ rivals

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Lando Norris‘s multi year contract with McLaren extends till the end of 2025. The former F1 driver feels it was a “brilliant negotiation” on part of CEO Zak Brown to lock Norris for such a long period. However, if the team can’t deliver a race winning car to him, perhaps their star driver will go looking for greener pastures. But Karun Chandhok doesn’t see it happening with anyone but Mercedes.

via Reuters

Chandhok said, “The reality is, I can’t see him going to Red Bull to be a number two to Max, Ferrari have their two drivers locked out. So his options are to go to Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton stops because George isn’t going anywhere.”

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Written by:

Anmol

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Anmol is an F1 writer at Essentially Sports. She is a Law graduate from National Law University, Lucknow, and currently pursuing PGD in Journalism and Mass Communication from Symbiosis. Being a Rallyist herself she began watching F1, the apex of motorsports, and eventually fell in love with the sport.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai