Helmut Marko claims Kimi Antonelli needs to ‘prove himself’ to earn next-Max Verstappen tag

18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli will become one of the youngest drivers to race in Formula 1 upon debuting for Mercedes in 2025.

Helmut Marko claims Kimi Antonelli needs to ‘prove himself’ to earn next-Max Verstappen tag

Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull Technical Advisor Helmut Marko has praised young Italian sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian has signed a multi-year deal with the Mercedes Formula 1 team and will drive for them in the 2025 F1 season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has established his worth as a top driver for Prema Racing in Formula 2. His brilliance has often been compared to that of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen‘s early days in Formula 1.

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Helmut Marko has, however, claimed that the Italian must live up to his expectations to be compared to the world-champion Dutchman. Kimi Antonelli will become the youngest driver to race for the Silver Arrows when he starts at the 2025 Australian GP.

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I was impressed by his speed. Max is Max. He [Antonelli] has to prove that first.

Helmut Marko via gpblog

As Kimi Antonelli prepares for a debut, Max Verstappen currently battles for a fourth consecutive drivers’ world championship this year. The former will now put his head down and practice to deliver good runs for his new team in 2025.

Toto Wolff envisions a new era with the arrival of Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has bid farewell to the past greatness of Lewis Hamilton to welcome aboard Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025 after spending 12 glorious years with the Brackley-based team.

Toto Wolff and Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Toto Wolff and Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Via: Imago)

We will be dealing with a young team next year. Going into the season with George and Antonelli means we are opening a new era. The previous era was great and now is the time to turn a page and make a new start.

Toto Wolff told autosprint

Toto Wolff holds high expectations from a young lineup of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell from 2025 onwards. Wolff then revealed his plans to nurture both drivers in revamping Mercedes as a championship-winning team.

The Brackley-based team has struggled for the better part despite having good runs in Spa and Silverstone, amongst a few. The team will now seek to eliminate issues with the W15 to present a better version for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Austin.