The new year will mark Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s debut in Formula 1. The highly talented Italian has been chosen by Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, who has moved to Ferrari to race alongside Charles Leclerc.
Mercedes now fields a lineup featuring George Russell and the former Prema Formula 2 driver. Russell will inevitably assume the role of the team’s lead driver, while Antonelli is expected to focus on learning. The team will not require him to immediately contend for the title, as 2025 is considered a transitional year for the Silver Arrows.
Wolff confirmed this strategy, aiming to relieve pressure on the young driver who has been nurtured by Mercedes over recent years and has shown excellent performances in junior categories. However, 2025 will not be a year where Antonelli is tasked with winning the title.
“We hope it happens, sooner or later,” the team principal told *Auto Motor und Sport.* “But it’s certain that it won’t happen immediately.”
“If the expectation is that he’ll take pole in Melbourne, win the race, and be in the championship fight right away, the risk is high. Because that won’t happen. But if we acknowledge that he’s an 18-year-old with a lot of talent who needs to grow and will make mistakes, then the risk is limited.”
In 2024, Formula 1 saw rookies making an immediate impact. For example, Oliver Bearman successfully replaced an injured Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and later stepped in for Kevin Magnussen at Haas.
“Franco Colapinto also had an immediate impact,” Wolff added. “Suddenly, everyone realized that young drivers are entering F1 at an already very high level.”
For this reason, Toto Wolff and Mercedes decided to give Antonelli a preparatory year in 2025, with an eye on 2026—a pivotal year for the team, as new technical regulations will come into effect.
“We see 2025 as a transitional year, and we want to prepare Andrea for 2026 when everything will start from scratch for everyone.”
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