The Mercedes F1 team has been on a never-ending downward spiral since the dawn of the current regulations. The outfit has lost its legendary driver, Lewis Hamilton , for next year, and amidst the woes with the W15, Toto Wolff has indicated that he is looking for a solid driver.
In recent times, Mercedes has been linked with the lights of Carlos Sainz, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Esteban Ocon , and Sebastian Vettel among a few others. The outfit was also linked with the two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso. However, with his recent contract extension with Aston Martin, it is now out of the question.
Toto Wolff is well aware of the delicate position that Mercedes has found itself in regarding its 2025 driver-up!
I believe that we are in a rebuild phase. It could mean putting a young driver in there and giving him an opportunity with less pressure than fighting for victories immediately, or putting a more experienced driver in the car that can help us dig ourselves out of the current performance picture. Toto Wolff said in an interview with Motorsport
The 52-year-old has made it known that the Mercedes F1 team could give the 2025 seat to a young driver. As things stand, Mercedes junior, Kimi Antonelli is looking like the favorite to secure the coveted seat alongside George Russell. However, one has to keep in mind that the German outfit has also been linked with the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff is ‘keen’ to see what Kimi Antonelli can do in F1
Russell since joining Mercedes has done extremely well and is slowly developing himself into a leader. If Kimi Antonelli is eventually entrusted with the 2025 Mercedes seat, he will benefit a lot from the experience of the Brit.
Antonelli is only 17 years old and is currently competing in the 2024 F2 season.
Obviously, he's been our young boy since a long time and we're keen to see what he's able to do in a Formula 1 car. [Ferrari reserve] Ollie Bearman was refreshing to look at how competitive he was in Saudi Arabia. Toto Wolff said in the same interview
The Austrian is quite eager to get Antonelli into an F1 car, especially after seeing what the 18-year-old Oliver Bearman did in his sudden Ferrari debut in Saudi Arabia. The upcoming months could give a clearer picture as to who will drive for the Brackley-based team during the 2025 season of the pinnacle of motor racing.
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