Toto Wolff has confirmed Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his System 1 observe debut for Mercedes at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
The Italian driver, who turned 18 on Sunday, is predicted to be confirmed as Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton’s alternative for 2025 however has but to characteristic in an official F1 session.
Having earlier within the weekend hypothetically talked about Antonelli and present driver George Russell as his 2025 line-up, Wolff mentioned after Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix that seeing the Italian on monitor at Monza can be “emotional”.
“We’re going to do FP1 with Kimi in Monza, which is going to be a really emotional moment because we followed him since he was a 11,” Mercedes crew principal Wolff mentioned.
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Race highlights from the Dutch Grand Prix.
“From a child go-kart driver with a Mercedes package, proud to be within the storage, to seeing him drive out on Friday in FP1 in Monza, in entrance of the tifosi, having an Italian child in a aggressive automobile, I believe that will likely be one thing that everyone in Italy could be very pleased with.
“And then we’ll take it from there.”
Following the February announcement of Hamilton’s shock swap to Ferrari, Antonelli has been touted as a potential alternative for the seven-time world champion.
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Toto Wolff jokes that F1 might be on the cardboard if Andrea Kimi Antonelli does nicely in F2 or it might be the Renault Clio Cup.
An unconvincing begin to his maiden System 2 marketing campaign appeared to boost doubts about Antonelli’s readiness, notably with Wolff making a really public pursuit of Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Nevertheless, with Verstappen apparently unavailable and an upturn in F2 kind from Antonelli that resulted in two victories within the weeks earlier than the summer time break, the Italian is predicted to be fast-tracked into the massively fascinating seat.
Wolff guidelines out Antonelli becoming a member of Williams
There had been rumours earlier within the season that Antonelli might get a style of F1 earlier than subsequent season with a potential opening at Williams within the occasion Logan Sargeant was let go earlier than the top of the season.
Sargeant’s large crash in last observe at Zandvoort on Saturday has heightened hypothesis that the struggling American driver might be changed imminently.
Nevertheless, Wolff has dominated out Antonelli for the short-term seat, which goes to be crammed subsequent season by Carlos Sainz, who’s being let go by Ferrari to make means for Hamilton.
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Mercedes technical director James Allison described Kimi Antonelli as a ‘promising younger driver’ after his latest F1 take a look at.
Wolff defined that he had mentioned the scenario with Williams crew principal James Vowles, who left Mercedes to take up the function firstly of 2023.
“Between James Vowles and myself, we have super transparent discussions and relationship, and James was part of developing and finding Kimi,” Wolff mentioned.
“So, I think what’s best for him is to continue the programme as we have designed it with the TPC (testing of previous cars) and Formula 2, and see how that goes, rather than disrupting our plan and giving him the opportunity in a Williams.
“That is the choice we now have taken.”
Schumacher, Lawson each potential Sargeant replacements
Wolff as a substitute argued Mercdes reserve driver Mick Schumacher’s case for changing Sargeant.
The 25-year-old son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher drove for Haas in 2021 and 2022 earlier than being left and not using a drive.
He has since been with Mercedes, however has been unable to land a seat regardless of an enormous quantity of turnover on the 2025 grid.
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Sky Sports activities’ Craig Slater brings the most recent from the Williams camp on Logan Sargeant’s future after his crash in Dutch GP Qualifying.
“I would very much hope that Mick gets the chance because we haven’t seen the real Mick,” Wolff mentioned.
“Winning F4, F3 and F2 and under-performing in Formula 1, I think he deserves a chance.
“The chance at Williams is one thing we might be cheering for, however it’s James’ choice.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said on Sunday his team’s reserve driver Liam Lawson could be temporarily available to Williams on the right “phrases”.
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Daniel Ricciardo believes that if he ‘does the job’ he can have a seat at Purple Bull, however says Liam Lawson deserves a seat.
Lawson, who serves as reserve driver for each Purple Bull and junior squad RB, is predicted to be given a seat with one of many two groups on subsequent yr’s grid.
Horner mentioned: “It would depend on which terms and if we needed him back that we could have him back quite quickly, but if they needed a driver next weekend, we’d be open to that.
“However that is a Williams query relatively than one for us to reply.”
The 2024 Formula 1 season continues with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
