P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is concerned that promoting junior driver Kimi Antonelli in 2025 could “drown” him.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has indicated that junior driver Kimi Antonelli could potentially replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025, but he expressed concerns about overwhelming the young talent. Antonelli is highly regarded as a rising star in Formula 1 and is seen as one of the most promising prospects since Max Verstappen. Despite being only 17 years old, Antonelli has been praised as the best driver in an F3 car since Verstappen and has shown potential in his debut F2 season with Prema Racing.
While Verstappen remains an option for Mercedes if he leaves Red Bull after 2024, Wolff is keeping an eye on the situation. Wolff mentioned that he doesn’t want to rush Antonelli into F1 too soon and is considering multiple options for the future. Apart from Verstappen and Antonelli, Wolff is also evaluating drivers like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz as potential replacements for Hamilton.
Wolff emphasized his intention to make Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes highly competitive and mentioned that drivers like Alonso and Sainz are exciting prospects. He aims to create a challenging environment for any driver vying for the opportunity to drive for Mercedes in the future. Subscribe to their YouTube channel for a chance to win fantastic F1 prizes like Red Bull or Ferrari merchandise.
