Esteban Oconꦜ can have a role in Mercedes' plan to replace Lewis Hamilton, it has been claimed.

Alpine driver Ocon is a for꧅mer Mercedes reserve driver and retains links to Toto Wolff's team.

Wolff must make the huge de▨cision of how to replace Ferrari-bou☂nd Hamilton in 2025.

Fernando Alonso and teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli represent serious options at opposite ends o♐🅠f the age scale.

L'Equipe's Fred Ferret made his prediction on the podcast: "Ocon🅷 or Alonso!

"Because [Ocon] is part of Merc🎐edes' management so he can accept signing for j🐼ust one year.

"Then, in '26, you can put Antonelli in after he has learned at🐈 Williamꦿs, or wherever."

Natali🔥e Pinkham thinks that Wolff's decision may be influenced by the form and leadership qualities shown by George Russell over the next few months.

"It depends on how Russell performs this year," sheඣ ♎said.

"If Russell develops🃏 into the natural team leader, then they will be happy to bring in a young and inexperienced driver under him, like Anton❀elli.

"If Russell falters - like we saw in Singapore - and if little mistakes creep in - which I don't think th🌟ey will, but if they do - then they will be more inclined to go for Fernando, potentially.

"I'd love to see Max Verstappen there!"

The intr༒iguing name which has routinely cropped up is Antonelli, the Mercedes junior who is currently in his rookie F2 ꦬcampaign.

The hype around his potential ♛has led Wolff to publically name him 🗹as a star of the future.

But Ferret claimed: "What♚ever happe🐼ns next year, I wouldn't bet on Antonelli to Mercedes for '25.

"Like for Ollie Bearman, it's better for a youngster to learn away from the pressur🍃e. Even if Antonelli is the next messiah.

"We only have one Alonso, one Hamilton, one Verstappen every 10 or 15 yea🦄rs. Don't put pressure on these guys for that.

"Even Max learned in a small team.

"I would bet on one last year fo๊r Alonso, or꧒ one year for Esteban then see what happens."

The dreadful start that Alpine have made in the F1 2024 season ꦛmeans they will lose both Ocꦍon and his teammate Pierre Gasly, Ferret believes.

"Two months ago, I would have said no," he said.

"We k♒now that next year's cars will be the same as this year's so we know who will finish first and last.

"All the𒅌se people are leaving A﷽lpine but you can't see the team be back on track, in a nice position, before 2026 at [the earliest]."