P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli could be in line for a seat at Mercedes in 2025, to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Toto Wolff is faced with the difficult decision of potentially promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1 at Mercedes in 2025 as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. The leading candidates for the seat include Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Mercedes’ own F2 protege, Antonelli. With Alonso renewing his contract with Aston Martin, and Verstappen hesitant to leave Red Bull, the decision becomes even more complex. Wolff must weigh the option of a long-term deal with Sainz for stability, or taking a chance on Antonelli, who is touted as the ‘next Verstappen.’ Mercedes is currently in a rebuilding phase, leaving Wolff with the dilemma of choosing between an experienced driver to steer the team back on track or allowing Antonelli to develop in F1 while the team is not at the front. Wolff acknowledges the need to do things differently in the rebuilding phase and considers the balance between experience and potential when making this crucial decision.
