Even before the 2024 Formula 1 season, Mercedes announced that Lewis Hamilton would no longer be in the Silver Arrow in 2025. After months of searching, the racing team decided to give youngster Kimi Antonelli the cockpit alongside George Russell. F1 expert Marc Surer cannot understand this decision.
With George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes has had its regular drivers in Formula 1 for 2025 for some time. The Italian young hopeful is taking over the cockpit from veteran Lewis Hamilton, whose move to Ferrari was officially announced at the beginning of the year.
In the fight for the Mercedes place alongside Russell, Antonelli prevailed against well-known competition. Among other things, Carlos Sainz was given a good chance of sitting in the Silver Arrow next year. The Italian impressed with two race victories for the Scuderia, where his retirement was clear early on after Hamilton’s change was announced.
Formula 1: Surer would have taken Sainz to Mercedes
Expert Marc Surer cannot understand why Mercedes decided against the experienced Formula 1 driver. “I would have taken him at Mercedes. Why take the risk now with the very young one when you would have had the chance to probably place him at Williams, like they did with the Russell?” he told “Formula1 .de”.
“So I agree with my father Carlos that what happened here is not logical,” he added, referring to Mercedes’ decision not to use the 30-year-old’s services. Instead, Sainz will drive for Williams in the new year. “The fact that a multiple Grand Prix winner practically has to join a backbencher team is tough,” the Swiss made clear.
In the 2024 season, the British racing team finished second to last in the constructors’ championship with just 17 points.