Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2025, confirmed on Thursday, gives Mercedes plenty of time to replace him but the big question is who will step into the shoes of the most successful driver of all time?
More than half of the current starting grid will be out of contract at the end of the season but inevitably some stand out more than others.
Several potential candidates are not even in Formula One at present and look like long-shots, but Formula One is never short of surprises.
The following looks at the possible options for Mercedes and the questions raised.
CARLOS SAINZ, 29
The Spaniard whose place has been taken by Hamilton would be a straight swap. He has, however, been considered a top target for Audi, who are taking over Sauber and entering as a works team in 2026. He would be the likely number one there, and Audi have strong connections with his father who won last month’s Dakar Rally with them. Would either he or Mercedes want to do a deal for one year or would he be open to a longer one?
ALEX ALBON, 27
The ex-Red Bull driver has been a big hit with Mercedes-powered Williams, scoring all but one of their points last season and hauling them up to seventh overall. Williams are run by James Vowles, who was previously a close confidant of Mercedes principal Toto Wolff as that team’s head of motorsport strategy. A deal for Albon, an old friend and rival of George Russell who also graduated from Williams, would surely be straightforward.
ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI, 17
The 17-year-old Italian is yet to debut in Formula Two but is considered a big talent for the future and already under contract with Mercedes. If not ready for the former champions, he might be offered to Williams to get experience.
SERGIO PEREZ, 34
Another driver facing an uncertain future post-2024 is Sergio Perez, whose contract with Red Bull is set to expire with the season’s end. A contract renewal seems doubtful, especially considering the performance disparity with his teammate, Max Verstappen, during the previous year.
Last year, there was speculation that the Mexican driver might consider retiring after his stint with Red Bull. However, if he chooses to continue beyond this year, marking his 14th consecutive season he might reach out to Wolff at Mercedes.
LANDO NORRIS, 24
Norris, yet to taste victory in Formula 1, is one of the fastest on the track. He could be a potential candidate for Wolff and Mercedes to consider as a successor to Hamilton, preserving the British legacy within the team.
Norris has just committed his future to McLaren by signing a fresh long-term contract last week, which will see him remain with the orange-clad team past 2025 and into the forthcoming regulatory transformation phase, meaning securing him would come at a significant cost.
MICK SCHUMACHER, 24
Michael Schumacher’s son is the official reserve. His seasons with Haas were difficult and he is now on the roster of endurance drivers with Renault-owned Alpine. Michael raced for the team, his place taken by Hamilton in 2013, but Mick looks a long shot compared to other options.
ESTEBAN OCON, 27
A Mercedes-backed junior driver and reserve and preparing for his eighth season in F1 and fifth with Renault/Alpine. The team rated him very highly but he may have slipped down the list of options by now.
VALTTERI BOTTAS, 34
Hamilton’s teammate before Russell replaced the Finn, who will be out of contract at Sauber at the end of the year and whose place could go to Sainz. He knows all the people at Mercedes but a return would surely be unlikely.
FERNANDO ALONSO, 42
The evergreen double world champion is out of contract at Aston Martin at the end of the year but showing no sign of wanting to stop and still looking highly competitive.
Norway Chess, the prestigious organiser of elite international chess tournaments, has officially launched a new World Championship series approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Dubbed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, the initiative aims to identify the player who excels across three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.
“We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’, a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and the new championship.
The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments annually, held in different cities worldwide. A pilot tournament is planned for fall 2026, with the first full championship season kicking off in 2027. The overall winner at the final stop will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion.
Tour Structure and Prize Pool
Each of the first three events will carry a minimum prize pool of $750,000, while the Finals, featuring the top four competitors, will award at least $450,000, in addition to performance bonuses for top scores at individual events and across the tour.
The Fast Classic format, featuring 45 minutes plus 30-second increments per move, will receive a classical chess rating, giving players the chance to demonstrate strategic skill in a faster-paced environment.
A New Era for Chess Fans
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed strong support for the initiative: “Chess is already a global phenomenon, but the Total Chess World Championship Tour will bring a new title, faster formats, and engaging broadcasts to captivate both existing fans and new audiences. This complements the traditional World Chess Championship and represents a long-term collaboration with Norway Chess.”
Norway Chess is now inviting host cities, investors, and partners to join discussions about the tour, which promises cutting-edge technology, innovative broadcasts, and an exciting format aimed at broadening the global appeal of chess.
The UAE capital is getting ready to build a massive 24,000-seat stadium, and yes, it’ll be fullyair-conditioned for year-round comfort.
Set to rise in Zayed City, the new sports complex will feature retractableroofing, sustainablecooling systems, and advanced digital screens for an immersive fan experience.
Planned as part of Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion strategy, the stadium will host international matches, concerts, and community events, all in climate-controlled comfort.
Officials say the project underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global destination for major sporting events while keeping sustainability at its core. The design uses energy-efficient cooling and solar integration to minimise carbon emissions.
This comes as the UAE continues to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, from cricket and football arenas to Formula 1 circuits, reinforcing its global sporting appeal.
So next time the temperature soars past 45°C, don’t worry, Abu Dhabi’s got you covered, literally.
The Brampton Blitz were crowned the first-ever champions of the Canada Super 60 at BC Place, cruising past the Montreal Royal Tigers by eight wickets in a dominant final.
The Blitz showcased their supremacy with the ball, as Dillon Heyliger (4/9), David Wiese (3/6), and Chris Greaves (3/16) bundled out the Tigers for a mere 69 in eight overs. Shakib Al Hasan (29 off 12) and Dilpreet Bajwa (18 off 8) were the only batters to reach double figures for Montreal.
Chasing a modest total of 70, the Blitz wrapped up the victory in just 5.5 overs. James Vince top-scored with a blistering 34 off 16 deliveries, while Martin Guptill contributed a quick 23*. Alex Davies finished proceedings with a six to seal the championship.
Blitz Storm into Final with Nine-Wicket Semi-Final Win Over Mississauga Masters
Earlier in the day, the Brampton Blitz displayed their firepower in the semi-final, demolishing the Mississauga Masters by nine wickets. Chasing 148, Martin Guptill (79 off 25) and Will Smeed (63 off 21) shared a record-breaking 141-run stand in just 6.5 overs. Guptill smashed 11 sixes, while Smeed hit eight, taking the Blitz comfortably past the target in eight overs.
Leus de Plooy (43 off 20) and Sikandar Raza (29 off 13) had provided the Masters with a quick start, supported by Shubham Ranjane (25 off 9) and Rayyan Pathan (19 off 7). Piyush Chawla’s three-wicket haul (3/23) was the highlight for the Blitz bowlers.
Montreal Royal Tigers Overcome Vancouver Kings to Reach Final
In the first semi-final, the Montreal Royal Tigers defeated the Vancouver Kings by 24 runs. Nick Hobson’s 50 off 23 balls rescued the Tigers after an early collapse, lifting them to 100/6 in 10 overs. Baltej Singh (3/21) was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers, while Jaskaran Singh, Dwayne Pretorius, and Tajinder Singh shared three wickets.
During the chase, Shakib Al Hasan (2/5) and Ryan Higgins (2/16) restricted the Kings to 76/7, despite efforts from Max Chu (25 off 10), Obus Pienaar (20 off 11), and Jaskarandeep Singh (16 off 13).
End-of-Season Awards
Most Valuable Player: David Wiese – 149 runs at a strike rate of 213+, plus nine wickets.
Top Scorer: Leus de Plooy (Mississauga Masters) – 238 runs in six innings at a strike rate over 231.
Top Wicket-Taker: Dillon Heyliger (Brampton Blitz) – 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 11.76.
The inaugural Canada Super 60 concluded with the Brampton Blitz leaving an indelible mark on the tournament, blending explosive batting and lethal bowling to lift the trophy.
