P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed Andrea Kimi Antonelli has covered “almost 9000 kilometres” in F1 cars prior to his debut in the series in the 2025 season.
Antonelli is gearing up for his debut season in Formula 1, stepping in to fill the shoes of the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who moved on to Ferrari a year ago. The Italian driver has been preparing for this transition by combining his Formula 2 season with extensive testing in F1, including driving various Mercedes cars at different tracks. Despite accumulating around 9,000 kilometers in F1 cars, Mercedes is taking a cautious approach to Antonelli’s rookie year, with team boss Wolff emphasizing the need for patience and a focus on the long-term plan for 2026. The team is managing expectations around Antonelli by reminding stakeholders that good test results do not guarantee immediate on-track success, aiming for a gradual progression rather than immediate stardom. With five teams fielding rookie drivers in 2025, the trend of giving opportunities to young talents like Bearman and Colapinto reflects a shift towards preparing for the upcoming rule changes in 2026.
