Odds slashed on F1 legend replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after his move to Ferrari

Fernando Alonso is now the odds-on favourite to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, according to new data.

Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari, having opted not to exercise the second year of his two-year contract with the Silver Arrows.

That leaves a vacancy at Mercedes, with team-mate George Russell contracted until at least the end of 2025.

Carlos Sainz, who will be replaced by Hamilton at Ferrari, was a major early contender to essentially swap seats with the seven-time world champion, but he has also been heavily linked with joining Audi ahead of the German car manufacturer taking over the Sauber team in 2026.

Williams driver Alex Albon has also been linked, but his previous ties with Red Bull - amid reports that they will offer him a contract to replace Sergio Perez from 2025 - makes completing a deal challenging for Mercedes.

And 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli, a Mercedes junior driver, is also a potential contender once completing his maiden F2 season, in a move that would carry some hallmarks of Hamilton's own path to the McLaren team for his debut F1 season in 2007.

But according to OLBG, it is now Aston Martin driver Alonso - who was Hamilton's team-mate in 2007 - that is now odds-on favourite at 8/11 to take over from the Brit.

Now 42 years of age, the two-time world champion is still operating at an incredibly high level, securing eight podiums in a competitive Aston Martin car last season.

He finished in fourth in the Drivers' Championship, although would have been competing with Perez and Hamilton for second had Aston Martin not fallen behind other teams in terms of performance mid-season.

Alonso has a contract with his current team until at least the end of 2024, which could open the door to a surprise Mercedes move for 2025.

Here are the current odds for which driver will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.

• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 8/11
• Alex Albon (Williams) - 7/2
• Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) - 5/1
• Mick Schumacher (Mercedes, reserve) - 7/1
• Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - 10/1
• Kimi Antonelli (Prema, F2) - 14/1
• Sebastian Vettel (Retired) - 18/1
• Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) - 25/1