P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has confirmed 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton in its Formula 1 team next season. But why has it picked Antonelli over proven free agents? Scott Mitchell-Malm explains six key factors…
American English: Mercedes has confirmed 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton in its Formula 1 team next season. Despite Antonelli’s crash during Friday’s practice session, Mercedes announced on Saturday that he will be one of its race drivers next year. Team principal Toto Wolff defended the decision, stating that an FP1 incident is not a reason to dismiss a driver, emphasizing the need for high-risk, high-reward choices. Mercedes understands the challenges ahead with a young talent like Antonelli and is willing to support his development in F1. Despite some inevitable mistakes, Mercedes believes in Antonelli’s potential and sees him as the next Max Verstappen in terms of talent and promise. Mercedes is confident in Antonelli’s abilities and is committed to guiding him through his journey in Formula 1.
