Formula 1: 5 possible replacements for Lewis Hamilton

Since Lewis Hamilton lost the Formula 1 world championship to Max Verstappen amid much controversy, there have been rumors of him quitting racing altogether.

We are less than two weeks removed from Max Verstappen’s thrilling but controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win over Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers entered the 2021 Formula 1 season’s final race tied for the lead in the driver standings, something that had only happened once before in Formula 1 history, and they had won 17 of the season’s first 21 races.

Verstappen chased his rival for most of the day until a late safety car brought the field back together for one last racing lap. Some savvy decision-making by Red Bull, combined with a few key strategic mistakes by Mercedes, gave him the win.

Race officials had made it clear throughout the weekend that they would do everything they could to ensure the championship was decided on track. And they did so, giving us an epic final-lap battle between the legend and the 24-year-old upstart.

But since the race’s end, Mercedes and their supporters have chosen to focus on a single decision made by race director Michael Masi: to allow only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to clear the safety car before a final lap of racing.

There have even been rumors of Hamilton walking away from Formula 1 altogether as a result of this outcome. Hamilton has discussed quitting Formula 1 before, but this time, could things turn out differently? Should he walk away, Mercedes will have a huge decision to make in naming a replacement.

George Russell is slated to be in a Silver Arrow for his first full season and would benefit from a veteran presence. But the young Brit already has 60 starts and a podium to his name, so he may be ready to take on the lead role for Formula 1’s top team.

While there probably isn’t anyone who can replace what Hamilton brings in terms of inspiring youngsters across the world and standing at the front of important social causes — and in terms of coming close to matching his driving skills — someone is going to have to fill that seat if he walks away.

Here are five possibilities.