Mercedes is carefully biding its time before announcing the promotion of young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 seat, as team principal Toto Wolff awaits a decision on Max Verstappen’s future. The Dutchman, a three-time Formula 1 world champion, has been strongly linked with a move to Mercedes, despite his recent commitment to stay with Red Bull for the 2025 season.
Toto Wolff’s interest in Verstappen is no secret, as the Mercedes boss has long admired the Dutchman’s abilities. However, Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has been clouded by internal tensions, including a rumored fallout between his father, Jos Verstappen, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. While these tensions have reportedly eased, Verstappen’s frustration with the performance of the RB20 car has sparked speculation about his long-term commitment to the team.
F1 journalist Brandon Sutton highlighted the strategic approach Mercedes is taking, stating that the team could be waiting to see how Verstappen’s situation evolves before making any concrete decisions about Antonelli. “If Mercedes are faster than Red Bull in the second half of the season, it does give them an interesting conversation about whether Toto Wolff can get Verstappen away from Christian Horner,” Sutton said.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 17-year-old prodigy, has been a rising star in the Mercedes driver development program. While he is considered one of the brightest young talents since Verstappen’s debut with Toro Rosso in 2015, Antonelli is still in his first season of Formula 2, currently sitting seventh in the Drivers’ Championship. Despite his potential, some have questioned whether he is ready for the jump to Formula 1, especially given the strong performances of other F2 drivers like Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Adam Dickinson, speaking on the same topic, acknowledged Antonelli’s rapid progression but also emphasized the importance of patience. “Antonelli is only six months into his first F2 season, and he didn’t do F3, so he’s still learning every week in F2,” Dickinson said. He suggested that Mercedes might be wise to allow Antonelli to continue developing in F2 without the pressure of being publicly labeled as the future of the team.
Antonelli will get a taste of F1 machinery when he makes his debut in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix, stepping in for Lewis Hamilton. This opportunity will allow Mercedes to further assess his readiness for the big stage.
Ultimately, Mercedes’ decision may hinge on Verstappen’s next move. If Verstappen stays with Red Bull beyond 2025, Mercedes could move forward with Antonelli as their future star. However, if Verstappen decides to switch teams, it could drastically alter Mercedes’ driver lineup plans. For now, the team remains in a holding pattern, carefully weighing its options as it looks to secure its future in the fiercely competitive world of Formula 1.
Photo from Antonelli Instagram
