Mercedes may be open to giving Formula 2 newcomer Kimi Antonelli an opportunity to replace Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming year. The Formula 1 transfer season is in full swing, with significant news emerging on a weekly basis. As a result, the bombshell move of to Ferrari has been confirmed. The team principal of Mercedes, , is currently exploring his options for selecting a driver to fill the shoes of the seven-time world champion, as the driver market will be wide open by 2025.
Amidst all this, there are reports that the 17-year-old rookie in Formula 2, , is being considered by Brackley as a potential acquisition for the following season. Many members of the Mercedes team believe that this young prodigy could be the next ‘Max Verstappen’, who entered the sport at a very young age and quickly became a dominant force. Only time will tell what the future holds for Antonelli within the team.
Antonelli’s performance in the 2024 F2 season will determine whether or not he deserves a seat at Mercedes. Additionally, Wolff is not willing to take any chances when it comes to acquiring a young talent, as he did almost a decade ago. Antonelli had initially planned to race for Williams, which is linked to Mercedes, for two years before moving to Brackley, much like Hamilton did in his early days. However, Hamilton’s unexpected move may alter the plans for the 17-year-old’s path in F1.
Aside from Antonelli, another potential candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton is the experienced F1 driver . The Briton is set to join Ferrari in the following season, alongside , and will be donning the red suit. Therefore, Wolff is not rushing to make a decision on who will succeed Hamilton in the upcoming season.
Alonso’s future in the sport will depend on how well Brackley performs in the 2023 season. However, the veteran driver is keeping major details about his future with Aston Martin beyond 2024 under wraps. Hamilton will be concluding his final year with Mercedes in 2024 and has expressed his intention to end the season on a high note.
Mercedes has previously expressed optimism about the development of their W15 challenger. As Brackley gears up for the chassis reveal on February 14, the team is filled with anticipation. However, there are multiple drivers eyeing the vacant seat at one of the top teams in motorsport from 2025 onwards.
According to the Source firstsportz.com