F1 | Antonelli like Hamilton: Mercedes has become a “one-man team”
The Dutch Grand Prix in Formula 1 could prove to be a decisive weekend for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian driver needs to rediscover his speed and confidence, especially as Mercedes faces an intense fight with Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. The Brackley-based team arrives at Zandvoort trailing Scuderia Ferrari by 24 points. The Ferrari SF-25, strengthened by the presence of Lewis Hamilton, is expected to become a major threat in the second half of the 2025 season.
Antonelli’s trajectory this year has been dramatic. Just a few months ago, he was celebrated as an “enfant prodige” and even labelled as the “next Max Verstappen.” Now, however, his reputation has shifted, and instead of being seen as a future superstar, he is facing growing doubts about his role at Mercedes. His summer has been far from ideal: after a highly praised debut, perhaps too prematurely, the 18-year-old has become the target of harsh criticism—this time undeserved—because of the significant performance gap separating him from his teammate George Russell.
Inside Mercedes, there is awareness that Antonelli’s difficulties are not purely his fault. The W16 has proven to be a difficult and unpredictable car, one that requires a driver with considerable experience to extract performance from it. George Russell, with his background at Williams and several seasons in Formula 1, has developed the resilience to manage underperforming machinery. For Antonelli, however, every race weekend becomes a learning experience, a chance to gain maturity, and a step towards preparing himself for the regulatory changes coming in 2026.
Palmer: “Mercedes needs Antonelli”
Former Formula 1 driver and analyst Jolyon Palmer discussed Antonelli’s situation on the F1 Nation podcast, underlining how critical his progress is for Mercedes. Palmer explained that, in some ways, the team from Brackley is beginning to resemble Ferrari: “Just as Ferrari risks becoming dependent on Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes is now turning into a one-man team around George Russell. If Hamilton has been facing difficulties, Antonelli is in an even tougher situation. Mercedes needs him to find his rhythm again if they are to challenge the Scuderia.”
Palmer also pointed to the wider context of Formula 1, suggesting that the confirmation of Max Verstappen’s stay at Red Bull could ease some of Antonelli’s pressure: “If I were in his place, that news would feel like a big weight lifted off my shoulders. All summer there were rumours, and Russell, in response to speculation about his own future, even highlighted how much quicker he was compared to Antonelli. Imagine being just 18 years old and already having to deal with those comparisons—it makes you realise just how tough life in Formula 1 really is.”
Palmer added that at least Antonelli can now rely on the certainty that he will remain with Mercedes for the next season. The potential, he stressed, is undoubtedly there, but the Italian rookie is currently trapped in a negative cycle: “It is the same spiral we have seen with other talented drivers in the past. Right now, Antonelli has lost the ability to drive instinctively. He is becoming weaker compared to his teammate, which is the opposite of what should be happening.”
As the Formula 1 season moves forward, the challenge for Andrea Kimi Antonelli is not only to close the gap to George Russell but also to prove that he deserves his place at the top level of motorsport. For Mercedes, the risk of being entirely reliant on Russell is clear, and unless Antonelli can deliver consistent performances, their battle with Ferrari could become an uphill struggle.
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