Mercedes look to the Future with Antonelli
During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, news swirled around the future of several current Formula 1 drivers, with Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez and Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda both signing contract extensions. Unfortunately for Williams Racing’s Logan Sargeant, his future with the team appears to be at an end, with Team Principal James Vowles revealing that they have been in talks with driver Carlos Sainz, who will depart Ferrari at the end of 2024. Vowles sees Sainz as the ideal teammate for current driver Alex Albon, and would undoubtedly help to improve the team’s competitiveness on the grid in 2025.
In addition to Williams, there has been speculation around Sainz joining Mercedes to replace 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who will exit the team at the end of the season to join Ferrari. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has stated that the team has yet to make an official decision on Hamilton’s replacement, but has revealed that current Prema Formula 2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is also part of the Mercedes Junior Team, is a top prospect for joining Mercedes next season in Formula 1. Discussing the 17-year old driver with Sky Sports Germany, Wolff has referred to Antonelli as “our future”, going on to say, “We want to work for the young drivers. We also said that to Carlos”. When asked his opinion on who should succeed him at Mercedes, Hamilton stated that he would choose Antonelli if it were up to him. Despite an official decision not being released by Mercedes, these comments from both Wolff and Hamilton suggest that Antonelli joining the team for the 2025 season is unofficially affirmed.
With Sainz seemingly off Mercedes’ radar for next season, the team has given test runs to Antonelli, driving the Mercedes W12 at Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, and Imola earlier this year. The team has also given test runs to current Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher, who currently races for Alpine Endurance in the World Endurance Championship and formerly drove for Haas F1 Team. Schumacher completed test runs at Silverstone and Barcelona in the Mercedes W13, but it is unlikely he will be tapped to replace Hamilton over Antonelli. In Formula 2, Antonelli currently sits 6th in the standings, with 48 points to his name and a highest finishing position of 4th following 5 rounds of the championship, with still 9 rounds to go. There are rumours that Mercedes will soon make an official announcement, but it seems clear that next season will see Antonelli join George Russell in 2025.
