Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has highlighted Williams' Carlos Sainz as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton, should the Ferrari driver depart before the end of his contract.
The seven-time world champion took Sainz's seat at the Scuderia, forcing the Spaniard to depart. Hamilton is contracted until at least the end of 2026, but has an option for a further campaign.
However, Hamilton has endured a poor start to his stint with Ferrari, due to struggling to adjust to the SF-25.
The rear instability of Ferrari's current car has caused the 40-year-old major issues, to the extent that he described himself as "useless" after being eliminated in Q2 in Hungary.
Following that comment, he cryptically stated that there are things happening "behind the scenes" at the Maranello-based outfit, triggering much intrigue in the paddock.
Herbert is unsure what Hamilton meant by the comment, but wonders if it is a sign of there already being talks about parting ways.
"When Hamilton said [things are going on behind the scenes], I’m not sure what that meant," Herbert told a gambling platform.
"One way of reading it is that there has been talk already about changing the driver. Is that something that’s already been spoken about?
"Maybe it’s been mentioned if things don’t get better, you need to get yourself in a position where you’ve got the next driver ready for next year.
"Maybe they [Hamilton and Ferrari] are both saying that if it doesn’t work, the time is here, the time has come [to part ways]."
Viewed by others:
Sainz open to Ferrari return
Should Hamilton remarkably depart Ferrari at the end of the campaign, Max Verstappen would not be his replacement having committed to Red Bull for next year.
However, Herbert does believe it could be Sainz, who recently outlined that he would be open to a move back to the Italian squad.
"I don’t think it would be Verstappen [chosen to replace Hamilton]. It could be one of the younger drivers, I guess," pondered Herbert.
"But I saw a little interview with Carlos Sainz and when asked if he would go back to Ferrari, he replied: ‘Yeah, maybe!’
"Carlos was doing an absolutely brilliant job and was really keeping Charles under control. He’s still young. He’s still doing a good job, even if he’s struggling with Williams a bit. But we know how good he was when he was at Ferrari."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they reflect on the first 14 rounds in this F1 summer break special! Red Bull's early driver change is looked back on, whilst calls from Bernie Ecclestone for Lewis Hamilton to retire are discussed.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!