P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes will commence a new era in 2025 when it lines up on the grid with Kimi Antonelli, who joins George Russell at the squad.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has issued a “warning” to shareholders about the expectations surrounding rookie Kimi Antonelli’s F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix later this year. Antonelli, at 18, replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, who moved to Ferrari. Having completed around 9,000 kilometers in F1 cars, Antonelli is being cautious, with Wolff emphasizing the need for the rookie to grow into the sport and learn from mistakes. The team sees 2025 as a transition year for Antonelli and aims to prepare him for 2026. Wolff is managing expectations by urging shareholders not to assume that good test results will automatically lead to success in races. Despite a crash during practice in Italy and Mexico, Antonelli is focused on his development as a young talent in Formula 1.
