The 2024 Formula 1 season at Mercedes is based on the premise: Who will replace record world champion Lewis Hamilton the following year? An F1 expert has now decided on Silver Arrows Junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz from English “Sky Sport” sees a clear favorite in the race to succeed Hamilton.
“There are so many options for Mercedes and some of them are really good. From Mercedes’ perspective, the most exciting one is to put Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the car because they think he’s the next Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc. So promising he is,” he said during a question/answer program before the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Antonelli is considered the next Verstappen
The 17-year-old exceptional talent is considered by many experts to be the next big star in motorsports. The question is: Will Mercedes go all-in with the youngster as early as 2025?
“At the same time, they won’t know until he has completed at least half a Formula 2 season,” the “Sky” expert continued. “I believe Toto Wolff when he says that we have to be careful about treating him like a 17-year-old who is still developing and we have to try not to overwhelm him too early. It could do more harm than good.”
It is clear to him that the young Italian is the racing team’s first priority. “They don’t have Williams as a junior team to put Antonelli on. Williams has made it pretty clear that they’re not ready for Antonelli, that they’re not going to be the varsity for him like they were for George Russell.”
After three years at Williams, he switched to the Silver Arrows in 2022.
Formula 2 races should provide information
Antonelli is also under contract with the Silver Arrows’ youth academy and is scheduled to compete in Formula 2 for Prema for the first time in 2024. A big test that could determine his future with the former champion.
“I think it’s most likely that they choose Antonelli because they don’t want him to move to another team, but it depends on his Formula 2 season.”
In addition to Antonelli, Mercedes also deals with significantly more experienced drivers. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) is repeatedly mentioned as a hot candidate. The McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are also said to be possible candidates. And maybe Sebastian Vettel will also cause a big surprise…