Surprise that Wolff choose Antonelli over Sainz: "Why take the risk?"

Mercedes will appear at the start of the new season next year with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the W16, with the latter set to make his debut in the premier class of motorsport, replacing Lewis Hamilton. However, Marc Surer does not understand why team boss Toto Wolff - in his view - is taking so much risk by going for the 18-year-old Italian.

Hamilton announced early this calendar year that he would be leaving for Ferrari, and at the Italian Grand Prix, Antonelli was announced as the seven-time world champion's successor. Wolff was angling for the services of Verstappen, but he decided to stay loyal to Red Bull. Carlos Sainz was also available at the time and, according to Surer, that would have been a much more logical choice.

Sainz instead of Antonelli?

The former Formula 1 driver says in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com: "I would have taken him [Sainz] at Mercedes. Why take the risk now with a youngster when you probably had the chance to put him at Williams, like they did with Russell? So I agree with his father, Carlos, that what has happened here does not make sense."

Sainz's father, Carlos Sainz Sr., said months ago that he thought it was a strange move by Mercedes: "It is hard to digest that a multiple Grand Prix winner practically ends up with a rearguard team," Surer continued to say. Sainz won four races in his career, including two in 2024. In Australia and Mexico, he crossed the finish line first.

At Williams, Sainz will reportedly not compete for wins and podiums. This year, the British racing stable finished penultimate in the World Championship, finishing with just 17 points.

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy

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