With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes, is faced with a significant decision regarding who will replace George Russell as his teammate. There is speculation about the possibility of promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a member of the Mercedes Junior Team, to the Mercedes seat in 2025. However, Formula 2 commentator Alex Jacques believes that this move could be risky, even if Antonelli manages to secure the F2 title. On the other hand, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer urges Wolff to take a chance on Antonelli.
While there are established Formula 1 racers like Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and Esteban Ocon who are being linked to the vacant seat, there is also talk of Mercedes promoting their talented young driver, Antonelli. Antonelli has already achieved great success in the junior circuit, winning the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship at just 17 years old. Instead of progressing to Formula 3, he is now preparing for a Formula 2 campaign with Prema.
During pre-season testing, Jacques emphasized the importance of evaluating Antonelli’s performance in F2 before considering him for a seat at Mercedes. He suggests that following the path of drivers like Russell or Leclerc, who gained experience before moving up to the top tier, would be beneficial for Antonelli’s development. However, Jacques does acknowledge Antonelli’s exceptional talent, stating that he is highly regarded in the racing world.
Palmer also supports the idea of promoting Antonelli if he wins the F2 title in 2024, despite the challenges that come with making a direct leap to Mercedes. He believes that spending a year at Mercedes before the new regulations come into effect in 2026 could be advantageous for Antonelli’s growth as a driver. Both Jacques and Palmer agree that readiness for Formula 1 should be determined by performance rather than the amount of time spent in lower categories.
Toto Wolff has hinted at the possibility of making bold choices when it comes to driver signings, which leaves the door open for Antonelli if he proves himself in F2. The F2 season-opener coincides with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Formula 1, providing an opportunity to assess Antonelli’s potential on the track.