Kimi Antonelli is set to take the wheel of the Mercedes W12 during the upcoming 2021 F1 season. With his move to Ferrari, a seat at Mercedes has become available for the 2025 season. The team’s principal is currently considering a number of potential drivers, including the 17-year-old Antonelli. This talented young driver will have the chance to showcase his skills in F1 machinery during an upcoming test at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The test will take place over two days, starting on April 16th, and Antonelli will have the opportunity to drive the Mercedes W12, the team’s challenger for the current season. This test will not interfere with Antonelli’s F2 campaign, as the next championship race is scheduled for May at Imola.
Kimi Antonelli is currently competing in the Formula 2 championship for Prema Racing. There were rumors that he was Mercedes’ top choice to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving the team to join Ferrari. The team’s principal has expressed the challenges of finding a suitable replacement for Hamilton, but Antonelli, despite his young age, is seen as a strong contender for the long-term. Toto Wolff, the team boss, has mentioned the availability of “super young talent” in the driver market, hinting at Antonelli as a potential option.
Mercedes will carefully consider all options in the coming months before making a decision in the competitive driver market. Wolff has emphasized that the future of the team will also play a role in the selection process. He has even mentioned the possibility of signing Max Verstappen in the future. Therefore, Antonelli’s prospects in Formula 1 look promising, as the team is willing to provide him with an opportunity. The team will closely evaluate Antonelli’s performance during the test, particularly his lap times, before finalizing their driver lineup for the next season.