Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolff, admitted that the team is going through a rebuilding phase, which is influencing their decision-making process regarding a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton’s surprising choice to activate an exit clause in his contract with Mercedes left the team searching for a suitable replacement for the upcoming season. Wolff publicly stated that he is closely monitoring the situation at Red Bull, ready to seize the opportunity if Max Verstappen decides to leave. However, while Red Bull continues to dominate, Mercedes had a disastrous start to the season, with correlation issues contributing to their lowest score since 2011. There have been suggestions that 17-year-old driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli could be promoted directly to the Mercedes factory team from Formula 2 due to the difficulties faced by the German team. On the other hand, the Italian media points to Carlos Sainz as the favorite to be George Russell’s partner, as he will make room for Hamilton’s arrival. When asked about the possibility of Mercedes having a rookie driver in 2025, Wolff stated that the current situation may make it more appealing to give a young driver an opportunity with less pressure, or bring in an experienced driver who can help improve the team’s performance.
Mercedes scheduled Antonelli’s first Formula 1 car test session to take place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria the following week, using their W12, which won nine races the previous year.
Although the regulations now allow the use of a ground-effect car from 2022, Wolff clarifies that the intention was to provide the Italian with the opportunity to experience a competitive car.
“The plan for Kimi to drive in Formula 1 was established some time ago and has not undergone significant changes in recent weeks,” Wolff said.
“We simply added more days to the program, but the next few months are already planned, regardless of whether he will be in a Formula 1 car next year.
“We will conduct several of these test days to allow him to familiarize himself with a Formula 1 car. He will be driving the 2021 car in Austria for the first time.
“Our goal is to give him an idea of what it’s like to drive an exceptional car before putting him in the 2022 model.
“He has undoubtedly been part of our team for a long time, alongside James [Vowles], and we look forward to seeing his performance in a Formula 1 car.
Antonelli’s debut season in F2 saw him achieve a top-four result in the feature race in Australia, putting him in ninth place in the Drivers’ Championship with 24 points.
However, Wolff highlights how Antonelli’s teammate at Prema, Oliver Bearman, stood out when he replaced the ill Sainz in Saudi Arabia, finishing in seventh place.
“It was truly impressive to observe Ollie Bearman’s competitiveness in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
“Without prior practice, on a demanding and fast track, he performed exceptionally well. Therefore, Kimi should deliver an equally admirable performance.”
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Portugal wins Euro final against France
Portugal clinched the Euro title for the second time in history after defeating France 1-0 in the final held at Wembley Stadium in London. The winning goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 53rd minute of the second half. With this result, Portugal solidifies its position as one of the strongest teams in European football.
The match was quite balanced, with both teams creating good goal-scoring opportunities. However, it was Portugal who managed to make the most of the chances and secure the victory. Cristiano Ronaldo, once again, showed his brilliance by scoring the decisive goal and becoming the competition’s top scorer.
The conquest of the Eurocup is a historic milestone for Portugal, which had already won the tournament in 2016. The Portuguese team demonstrated great resilience in facing tough opponents throughout the competition. Coach Fernando Santos was also crucial to the team’s success, managing to assemble a solid and competitive team.
The Portuguese players were welcomed with great celebration in Lisbon, where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the title. Cristiano Ronaldo, as the team’s captain, lifted the trophy amidst the fans’ excitement. The player, who is already considered one of the greatest in football history, once again showed his importance to the team and the country.
Portugal’s victory in the Eurocup is an achievement that will be remembered in football history. The Portuguese team showed its strength and determination in winning the title against one of the favorites, France. Now, all eyes turn to the next edition of the tournament, where Portugal will seek to defend its title and establish itself as one of the powerhouses of world football.
