Mercedes announces the 2025 Junior Programme
Mercedes has announced the expansion of its junior programme, dedicated to the promising drivers of the future. In 2025, the talent pool of the star-branded team will consist of 12 young talents, whom Toto Wolff hopes will become the next George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The drivers
Women make up 25% of the roster: among them are F1 Academy driver Doriane Pin, karting driver Luna Fluxa, and newcomer Julia Montlaur. Notably, there is also a new Italian entry, 11-year-old Many Nuvolini, who has already achieved significant results in karting (a podium in the Italian championship) and will compete in the OK-Junior category in 2025.
The other members include Danish driver Noah Strømsted (17 years old), Emirati Rashid Al Dhaheri (16 years old), Chinese Yuanpu Cui (17 years old), Jamaican Alex Powell (17 years old), British Ethan Jeff-Hall (16 years old and reigning world karting champion in the OK category, making his single-seater debut this year in British F4), French Andy Consani (15 years old), British Kenzo Craigie (14 years old, reigning world karting champion in the OK-Junior category), and Australian James Anagnostiadis (14 years old). All members of the 2025 Junior Programme compete from karting to Formula 3.
A historic year
2025 marks a historic year for Mercedes and its junior programme, as for the first time, the team’s full-time driver lineup will consist entirely of Academy-grown talents (with reserve driver Frederik Vesti also coming through the ranks).
George Russell emphasized the importance of the programme for young drivers: “I think what I am most grateful for is the support that all team members have given me to help me achieve my goals. These 12 drivers will have the best support and the best structure to help them in their motorsport journey.”
Kimi Antonelli added: “The Junior Programme has helped me a lot to grow, not only as a driver but also as a person. I am very grateful to the team for the opportunity and support they have given me because, without it, I don’t think I would be sitting here as a Mercedes F1 driver. It’s great to see the programme getting stronger, and I look forward to playing my part in helping all 12 drivers on their journey.”
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