Kimi Antonelli is considered an increasingly viable option to drive for Mercedes next season.
Fernando Alonso added another piece to the transfer market puzzle by signing a contract extension with Aston Martin. The 42-year-old will continue with the Silverstone-based squad until at least 2026. Elsewhere on the grid, this leaves Mercedes as one of the remaining top seats available. However, the Silver Arrows are very enthusiastic about the potential for Kimi Antonelli to compete as early as 2025.
The nature of the F1 market means that drivers are in negotiations with several outfits across the grid. Carlos Sainz has already mentioned that he will explore all potential destinations before making a decision. Speaking of the Spaniard, he is frequently mentioned as a candidate for the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes prepares F1 tests with Antonelli
Despite these links, it is understood that Mercedes is still extremely keen on promoting Antonelli. The 17-year-old has been consistently praised by Toto Wolff in recent months, especially since Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join the Scuderia. The Mercedes team principal has even said that Antonelli could be “one of the great ones.”
Several tests in F1 machinery have already been planned for the youngster. Understandably, the German constructor is eager to assess how quickly he can compete in Formula 1.
Whilst their current performance is certainly not a positive, it presents them with a unique opportunity. Mercedes can promote Antonelli directly into the main team with – relatively – minimal risk. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the next few months, 2025 will likely be a continuation of this season’s struggles.
Favourable conditions for Antonelli promotion
For a rookie like Antonelli, joining F1 in the fourth or fifth-fastest team is a far less daunting proposition than racing against Verstappen or Leclerc for race victories. In previous years, Mercedes was happy to opt for a relatively safe driver lineup by keeping Valtteri Bottas alongside Lewis Hamilton.
However, Toto Wolff said in the aftermath of Hamilton’s exit that Mercedes could present a”chance to do something bold.” Of course, it would be a mistake to look too deeply into the 52-year-old’s comments.
After all, Wolff has mentioned several drivers – including Alonso, Sainz, Vettel and even Max Verstappen – as candidates for next season. Evidently, such statements are crafted so that potential options are not dismissed rather than because they are likely signings.
Amidst all of these names, Kimi Antonelli is still the most realistic. The Mercedes junior still has to deliver results in Formula 2 – even if it’s his first season in the category. There is always a scenario where Mercedes will sign a stop-gap before making such a bold move.
That said, the Silver Arrows seem in the best possible position to give their academy talent an F1 seat. Moreover, the 17-year-old’s seemingly inevitable ascension could repel free agents looking for a long-term deal.
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