Mercedes Method 1 staff principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to be on the tempo with George Russell throughout his rookie season, however insists the Italian’s aim is get acclimatised forward of 2026.
Antonelli was introduced by the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term alternative for Lewis Hamilton, a plan which needed to be expedited when Hamilton determined to depart for Ferrari forward of this season.
Antonelli’s promotion is the fruits of a seven-year venture and, regardless of his tender age of 18, the younger Italian is backed by Wolff to begin matching his skilled teammate Russell from the off.
“Once we determined to go for Kimi, it was clear that we’re going for a younger driver that has proven large potential within the junior sequence since we have recognized him,” Wolff mentioned as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne’s St Kilda seashore.
“For Kimi, it is concerning the time to develop, to study the tracks, to be on prime for subsequent 12 months, the regulation change. Which means nice outcomes and which means moments the place it’ll be tougher.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“I mentioned to George: ‘We do not count on you to only be crushing Kimi on a regular basis’.
“We would not have employed Kimi if we thought that will be the case. So, I imagine by way of velocity, Kimi goes to be proper up there with George. There’s so much to study by way of lengthy working the tyres, and the event goes to be steep.
“We’ve got a driver mixture of 1 very younger driver, 18 years outdated, and one other younger driver, 27 years outdated, and hopefully they are going to push one another, and push one another sturdy.”
Wolff additionally reiterated that together with his alternative for homegrown skills Russell and Antonelli, making a transfer for Max Verstappen is now not on his radar presently.
“We have to think about our driver line-up,” Wolff mentioned. “We have to do the very best that we’ve. I do not flirt exterior if we’re having a great relationship. And that’s true for this 12 months too. So in the mean time, that’s not on our radar.”
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Method 1
George Russell
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e-mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
