If David Coulthard has his way, Mercedes should definitely put a world champion in the Silver Arrow when Formula 1 record champion Lewis Hamilton moves to Ferrari in 2025. The Scot also has a clear favorite.
“If I were Mercedes, I would take Alonso or Vettel,” said Coulthard on the “Formula for Success” podcast. It’s not for nothing that “DC” names the Spaniard, who currently drives for Aston Martin, first.
“He is suitable for racing, he understands the engine, the power unit because of Aston Martin (as a Mercedes customer, he uses the engines of the Silver Arrows, editor’s note) and he is still like a gladiator with a knife between his teeth,” The long-time Formula 1 driver spoke out in favor of an Alonso transfer.
During his time at Aston Martin (2021/22), Vettel “perhaps had a bit of problems with the development of the Aston Martin,” said Coulthard.
The four-time world champion did not put Lance Stroll in his place to the same extent as Alonso. “So if I could get Fernando, I would take him,” said the 52-year-old.
Formula 1: Vettel wouldn’t have it easy at Mercedes
However, Coulthard admitted that Vettel could also be a “good, experienced option” for Mercedes. “He would certainly be a good marketing story too, assuming George Russell doesn’t screw him up. I think George is fantastically fast. So that wouldn’t be easy for Seb.”
At the beginning of February, Hamilton unexpectedly announced that he would be switching from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season. At Scuderia, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz has to give way, who would also be an option for Mercedes.
Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of the year, but the Spaniard will be 43 in July. Vettel (36) ended his F1 career at the end of 2022 and has since retired from motorsport.
Other candidates to succeed Hamilton are Alex Albon (contract with Williams until the end of 2024), Esteban Ocon (contract with Alpine until the end of 2024) and the current Mercedes replacement driver Mick Schumacher.