Mercedes told to buy out contract of "number one pick" to replace Lewis Hamilton

13 February 2023 , 18:11

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Mercedes must begin planning for life in F1 without Lewis Hamilton (Image: Getty Images,)

Mercedes have been told to turn to Lando Norris as a long-term replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion's current deal expires at the end of this year. He is expected to sign an extension, though chatter around that has gone quiet in recent weeks with no sign of pen having been put to paper at present.

In any case, even if Hamilton does extend, he is not a long-term option for the Silver Arrows any more. The 38-year-old is in the twilight of his F1 career and, at some point, the team is going to have to figure out what their driver line-up will look like without the Brit in it.

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok feels like the answer to the question of who should partner George Russell is a no-brainer. In the Indian's mind, Mercedes need look no further than McLaren star Norris.

"Where is [Norris] going to go, is the question," Chandhok told Autosport. "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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"He can stay at McLaren I think until that happens basically. I think McLaren can safely hold onto him until that happens. But, let's say we get to the end of this year and Lewis suddenly decides 'I've had enough, I'm gone'.

Lando Norris would be a strong option for Mercedes when Hamilton retires (PA)

"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."

Norris is currently tied down until the end of the 2025 season with McLaren. Chandhok feels getting that deal done was an example of "brilliant negotiation" by chief executive Zak Brown, but even though it will make it more costly for another team, it doesn't mean Norris is secured.

He added: "We all know that people can be bought out of contracts and they get bought out all the time. Look at [Pierre] Gasly. It happens all the time but it's going to cost more. It's going to be tricky."

Daniel Moxon