Albon clear favourite to replace Hamilton at Mercedes

Alex Albon is the favourite to move into the void left by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2025.

The seven-time World Champion will leave the Silver Arrows for Ferrari at the end of the upcoming season, bringing an end to an association that began in 2013.

In the wake of the shock move, RacingNews365.com asked you, the fans, to select your choice of driver to partner George Russell in the second Mercedes and the overwhelming favourite was Williams driver Albon.

The Thai-Briton has been in stunning form since returning to the grid two years ago and has been touted as a key player in the driver transfer market, though it is understood Red Bull could also be an option.

Albon took a 29.8 per cent share of the vote.

Alonso leads the rest in voting

Second in the vote was Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso [24.28 per cent], who has a history of bombshell switches in the quest for more victories.

The Spaniard was ahead of compatriot Carlos Sainz, who is forfeiting his place alongside Charles Leclerc to accommodate Hamilton's move.

Whilst it is expected Sainz will end up with the soon-to-be Audi effort at Sauber, he picked up 19.02 per cent of your votes.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will need a stellar rookie F2 season to make the step straight into the Mercedes but his star talent is reflected in him taking 8.76 per cent of the vote, whilst Esteban Ocon was able to take just a 3.59 per cent share.

Interestingly, 14.54 per cent opted for someone else, with Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly mentioned as potential replacements in the comments. The former, however, would need a break in his McLaren contract after an extension was added last September.