P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes’ Toto Wolff must make a decision soon as to who will partner George Russell in 2025.
Toto Wolff has hinted at promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes, with Hamilton set to leave for Ferrari. Wolff had been eyeing Max Verstappen as a potential replacement, but it seems Verstappen will stay at Red Bull. Carlos Sainz, whom Hamilton will replace at Ferrari, is also considered a possible successor at Mercedes. Antonelli, a rising star dubbed ‘the new Verstappen,’ is being favored by Wolff for the seat. Wolff emphasized Mercedes’ commitment to young drivers like Antonelli, who recently tested alongside Mick Schumacher for the team. Despite claims that Antonelli outperformed his competition, Wolff dismissed them as “nonsense,” stating that all drivers performed as expected during the tests.
