Lewis Hamilton has voiced his backing for young Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has impressed the Mercedes team despite Toto Wolff’s focus on Max Verstappen.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ junior driver, recently gained attention during a two-day F1 test at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Covering nearly 500 kilometers in the Mercedes W12, his performance caught the eye of Mercedes Technical Director James Allison, who praised Antonelli’s ‘metronomic pace’ and his ability to quickly adapt to the F1 environment.
Hamilton, the multiple world champion, expressed his belief that the young Italian could be a great fit for the Mercedes team in the future. This comes despite Toto Wolff’s ongoing interest in Max Verstappen as a potential successor to Hamilton. Hamilton, at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, remarked that if it were his decision, he’d likely choose Antonelli for the seat.
Wolff, however, is more cautious about rushing Antonelli into a Formula 1 seat, emphasizing the young driver’s need for further development. As Antonelli progresses from F3 to F2, Wolff wants him to gain more experience before making any decisions about promoting him to F1.
The situation is complicated by Wolff’s public interest in Verstappen, which has drawn criticism from Red Bull’s management. Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has openly criticized Wolff’s attempts to court Verstappen, highlighting the competitive and sometimes controversial nature of driver negotiations in F1.
Despite the tension, Wolff remains focused on Mercedes’ future, navigating through rumors and strategic decisions about their 2025 driver lineup. While direct talks with Verstappen have been denied, the speculation continues, adding to the drama surrounding Mercedes’ next moves.
The intrigue over who will fill the seats at Mercedes continues to build, with Hamilton supporting Antonelli and Wolff keeping his options open. The dynamic world of Formula 1 guarantees more twists in the tale as the season progresses.
