Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an Italian driver, was seen on the grid at the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Sakhir, Bahrain on March 2, 2024. Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes, has recently revealed that certain provisions in Lewis Hamilton’s contract were specifically designed to keep the option open for Andrea Kimi Antonelli to make the move to Formula 1. With Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, Mercedes is faced with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for the seven-time World Champion. Several names, including Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon, and the young sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, have been circulating in the rumor mill. Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes, signed in the summer of 2023, allows for flexibility with a one-year extension. Wolff, mindful of past missed opportunities with Max Verstappen, wanted to ensure that the team wouldn’t lose out on Antonelli in a similar manner, even if it meant paving the way for Hamilton’s eventual departure. Wolff explained that in the past, they had the chance to sign Verstappen but didn’t have an available seat. As a result, Red Bull took advantage of the opportunity and signed him, leading to his subsequent success. With a talented young driver like Antonelli on the horizon, Wolff wanted to keep the option open and avoid a repeat of the Verstappen situation. However, he also emphasized the importance of not putting too much pressure on the 17-year-old Italian driver. Antonelli, who has skipped Formula 3 and is competing in his rookie season in Formula 2 with PREMA, has already achieved numerous rookie titles. Wolff wants to observe how Antonelli performs in the upcoming Formula 2 races, which coincide with Formula 1 events, before making any decisions regarding his potential promotion to the top tier of motorsport.
Alexander Albon, a driver for Williams Racing, has expressed uncertainty about his long-term future with the team. He believes that the Formula 1 driver market will undergo changes...
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