Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle reckons Mercedes could have their sights set on Alpine driver Esteban Ocon for the 2025 season.
The French racer is among the contenders catching the attention of Toto Wolff, especially with Lewis Hamilton set to depart at the season’s end.
During the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Brundle floated the idea of Ocon taking a significant career leap to partner George Russell in the future.
Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari for the next season has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock.
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The 2024 off-season was relatively subdued until then, with Guenther Steiner’s departure from Haas dominating discussions.
However, Hamilton’s unexpected shift has intensified what was already shaping up to be a turbulent driver market for the following year, given the multitude of drivers out of contract.
With Mercedes enjoying a decade of success, Wolff will have his pick of the litter to fill Hamilton’s shoes.
Assuming Sergio Perez remains at Red Bull, the vacant spot alongside George Russell is arguably the most coveted on the grid.
Brundle now speculates that Ocon, who has ties to Mercedes, could be primed for a move in 2025.
Approaching the final year of his contract at Alpine and following a lacklustre season for the French outfit, the 27-year-old may not be keen on prolonging his current deal.
Discussing Mercedes’ options for next season, Brundle remarked, “They can wait and see how [Andrea] Kimi Antonelli performs. They’ve got Esteban Ocon, I suspect they want him.”
Alpine has expressed their intent to provide Ocon and teammate Pierre Gasly with a more competitive car this season.
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Ocon, who also harbours ambitions to race in Le Mans, maintains strong ties to Mercedes from his time in their academy.
Despite a somewhat unremarkable performance in 2023, highlighted by a podium finish in Monaco, Ocon’s potential signing might lack immediate excitement, though circumstances could change over the coming months.
Ocon may well be hopeful that Brundle’s prediction materialises, offering him the opportunity to compete for Mercedes in 2025 and enhance his chances of securing further Formula 1 victories.