Could happen quickly

“Intensive talks”: New cockpit for Sainz?

Will Carlos Sainz soon be in the Mercedes cockpit?(Bild: APA/AFP/ANGELA WEISS)

Mercedes have apparently settled on Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as their preferred solution for Lewis Hamilton's successor. According to the report, the Briton and the Spaniard could simply swap cockpits in the coming season. Talks with Sainz are already at an "advanced stage".  

In the end, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has probably opted for Carlos Sainz as a replacement for the departing Lewis Hamilton. The reasons for this are, on the one hand, Max Verstappen's refusal and, on the other, the Spaniard's strong performances in the current season.

Max Verstappen is likely to stay at Red Bull despite disagreements.(Bild: AP)

As reported by the "Gazzetta dello Sport", talks between Mercedes and the 29-year-old are already at an "advanced stage". This means that an agreement could soon be reached. Wolff recently confirmed that the list of candidates is limited - but the Spaniard is certainly high on the list. 

Also about Antonelli
Now that Fernando Alonso is also off the market, things could happen quickly. "For next season, I'm obviously talking to a few teams and looking at what the best options are for me and my future," said Sainz. He hopes that he will be able to sign a new contract sooner rather than later.

Should the Spaniard sign a contract soon, the future of talented Andrea Kimi Antonelli would also be clarified. The 17-year-old is regarded as a top talent and will soon be able to complete test drives for Mercedes. The Italian should therefore continue to be slowly introduced to the "premier class".