With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, faces a significant decision on 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 Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer urges Wolff to take a risk on Antonelli.
While established Formula 1 drivers such as Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and Esteban Ocon are being linked to the vacant seat, there are also talks 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 preparing for a campaign in Formula 2 with the Prema team.
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, would be beneficial for Antonelli’s development. However, Jacques recognizes Antonelli’s exceptional talent, stating that he is highly respected in the racing world.
Palmer also supports the idea of promoting Antonelli if he wins the F2 title in 2024, despite the challenges that arise from making a direct jump 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, not by 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 his worth in F2. The opening round of the F2 season coincides with the Bahrain Grand Prix of Formula 1, providing an opportunity to assess Antonelli’s potential on the track.
