Nico Rosberg declares Kimi Antonelli and George Russell set for ‘shootout’ to keep Mercedes seat in 2025
Nico Rosberg believes that Mercedes will use the 2025 season as a shootout between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
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Kimi Antonelli, Nico Rosberg, and George Russell (via IMAGO)
Kimi Antonelli has finally been confirmed to drive for Mercedes from the coming season onwards. The Italian driver was the center of major rumors regarding the same before Brackley’s confirmation. However, George Russell will still be the lead driver with Antonelli having a lot to learn. Hence, Nico Rosberg believed that the two Silver Arrows would have a shootout with each other for Max Verstappen‘s arrival.
Toto Wolff had seemingly given up on the Max Verstappen to Mercedes move after confirming Antonelli. However, Wolff kept the possibility of acquiring Verstappen open by keeping Kimi Antonelli‘s contract of just one year. As a result, Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg revealed his thoughts on the move and Wolff’s intent with the team.
Rosberg believed that to make way for Verstappen, Russell and Antonelli would have to fight with one another. Hence, the 2025 season will be treated as a ‘shootout’ between the two Silver Arrows. The winner of the shootout would keep their seat at Brackley while the other would be ousted for the Dutchman.
Toto still wants Max. It'll be a shootout for 2026 between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli [in 2025].Nico Rosberg told Autosport
Nico Rosberg claims Toto Wolff ‘made the right decision’ to acquire Kimi Antonelli
The entire Formula 1 paddock had great hopes for the prodigy during the FP1 at the Italian GP. However, the 18-year-old crashed his chassis ten minutes into the session and put an early end to his outing. Regardless, Rosberg believed that Toto Wolff made the right decision to acquire Kimi Antonelli.
But difficult - and then of course the crash yesterday. So, sub-optimal preparation. But I think he [Mercedes boss Toto Wolff] made the right decision.Nico Rosberg told Sky Germany
Mercedes’ recent upturn in performance would surely prove beneficial to Antonelli’s arrival to the team. The coming season is still uncertain as any team on the grid could dominate the playing field. Hence, with McLaren’s dominant pace, Brackley still has a lot of work pending on the challenger to deem a great start to the coming season.
In case you missed it:
- Toto Wolff makes wild ‘5 MINUTES’ claim over replacing Lewis Hamilton with Kimi Antonelli
- Nico Rosberg insists Toto Wolff “still wants” Max Verstappen at Mercedes despite Kimi Antonelli move
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Aditya Pandya
(1460 Articles Published)