Jacques Villeneuve asserts ‘any hesitation’ shown by Mercedes over Andrea Kimi Antonelli would be ‘seized’ by other teams

Mercedes’ second driver pairing up with George Russell in the 2025 season is still the biggest question. Toto Wolff is taking his time in confirming the driver following up to Lewis Hamilton. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has come up as one of the better options for the German carmaker in the coming season.

Jacques Villeneuve has shared his thoughts on the entire matter and raised some uncertainty. The Ex-World champion believes that Mercedes shouldn’t showcase any hesitation in pouncing on the opportunity to acquire the prodigy. Villeneuve noted that the rival teams would take in the 17-year-old after witnessing what happened with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

History tells us other teams will seize on any hesitation, Lando Norris was firmly part of McLaren’s programme since 2018 and yet received constant offers from Red Bull.

Jacques Villeneuve via Formula 1

However, Toto Wolff‘s eagerness to acquire and promote Antonelli further up the chain at Mercedes was a good point. This meant that the rival teams had declining chances of acquiring the prodigy. The German carmaker enrolled the Italian driver in their extensive testing regime much like Oscar Piastri back in 2022.

Wolff’s earnestness for Antonelli’s promotion removes any opportunity for poaching and to prepare the young Italian, Mercedes have enrolled him in an extensive testing regime similar to that of Piastri in 2022.

Jacques Villeneuve added

Toto Wolff almost ‘lost a very important person’ due to pressure at the end of 2023

The 2023 season was extremely disappointing for Mercedes after losing out on major performances throughout the season. Toto Wolff was under immense pressure due to the declining performance. The Austrian noted that he had almost lost an important person back then. Although the team principal didn’t reveal the identity, he claimed that the person wasn’t able to bear the pressure anymore.

There was a time, at the end of 2023 when, due to the pressure, I almost lost a very important person from my team. He is a person whom I respect and appreciate very much, who took me aside and said to me: ‘ Listen, you can continue doing what you are doing, but personally I can no longer bear this pressure.

Toto Wolff told as reported by formula.hu

Mercedes has luckily retained a majority of their crew heading into the 2025 season. However, Lewis Hamilton’s absence could pose an uncertain condition for the team. Regardless, the familiar faces in the team would help keep the team’s dream of returning to their winning ways alive.

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