Mercedes refuses to label Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 promotion a ‘gamble’
Mercedes announced that Kimi Antonelli would make his debut with Mercedes next year in place of the outgoing Lewis Hamilton.
Follow Us
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (via IMAGO)
Mercedes were left scratching their heads when Lewis Hamilton announced his departure from the team. However, team principal Toto Wolff had quick reinforcement in the form of Kimi Antonelli, the latter has been very successful in his junior series. This led the German marque to announce that the Italian kid would be joining Mercedes next year. Amidst the noise, the Austrian refused to label Antonelli’s promotion as a gamble on the part of the Brackley-based team.
Kimi Antonelli has been a part of the Mercedes junior ranks since 2018. The Italian was called out as the next Max Verstappen in F1 and was promoted to F2 despite not taking part in the F3 series. This fast-tracking of his career did not go unnoticed by the paddock and when Lewis Hamilton announced his departure, Antonelli was already on Toto Wolff‘s list of drivers who could get promoted.
However, questions started rising in the paddock against the teenager’s capabilities. But despite this, the 52-year-old was stern on his decision and asserted that promoting Antonelli was not a gamble in his books.
It would be a gamble if you wouldn’t believe in his capability. We need to give him the time to develop. We don’t expect him blasting everyone next year. That’s not the expectation.
Toto Wolff said in an interview
On the other hand, the 18-year-old is quickly getting up to speed with how the German marque works in F1. Along with George Russell as a mentor, the Antonelli-Russell pair is believed to be a strong driver lineup for the Brackley-based squad for 2025.
Kimi Antonelli asserts that no one can fill Lewis Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes
Despite getting the chance to drive at Mercedes because of Hamilton’s departure, the latter has amassed six world titles with the team, including 84 victories in his 12-year-long stint. This could make the job for the young kid even harder in filling the void that the seven-time champion would be leaving at the German marque.
Regardless of the high expectations, Antonelli claimed that Hamilton has done a lot for the Silver Arrows and thus, cannot be replaced owing to his stature at Mercedes.
He’s such a great figure in the sport of today, and he has achieved so much in his career, so I don’t want to [be seen] as his replacement – I’m just the next driver for Mercedes in 25′, so I’m really excited for that. He’s a really great guy, he has been giving me some support so, yeah, really happy.
Kimi Antonelli said in an interview with F1
On the other hand, only two rounds remain in the F2 schedule. Antonelli currently has a massive deficit to the championship leader and is sixth in the standings. His chances to finish even in the top three are quite minimal which might raise eyebrows at the 18-year-old’s talent before going up against the big boys next year.
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)