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Antonelli drivers TPC test in Jerez Mercedes 2025

Antonelli completes special test in Hamilton's record-equalling car

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In two months time, the Formula One season will get underway, with many rookies getting the chance in the 2025 season. One of them is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was seen at the Jerez circuit getting miles in before his full-time debut.

After winning the Italian F4 and FRECA titles and completed a single season in Formula 2, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was promoted to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Ahead of competing in his first season, the young Italian completed some extra miles.

The team confirmed to GPblog that the 18-year-old completed a THC (Testing of a Historic Car) event with the Mercedes W11, the car Hamilton won his record-equalling seventh title in the 2020 season. The Germans choose that car, because it counts as 'historic' machinery', therefore, the time the Italian spent in the car did not count towards the 1000km he could complete in a year, that was introduced for TPC (Testing of a Previous Car) for the current season. The test took place over todays, this Wednesday and Thursday, in Jerez. The Spanish track also counts towards a THC, since it was not on the calendar this or the previous season.

Wolff does not want to overwhelm Antonelli

Talking to Auto, Motor und Sport, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained that the 2025 season will be about getting the youngster ready. "If you expect him to be on pole position in Melbourne, win the race and immediately fight for the championship, then the risk is big because that won't happen. If we approach it in such a way that the boy is 18 years old, very talented, but of course has to grow into it first and will make mistakes, then the risk is limited. That's why we're doing it. We see 2025 as a transition year and want to prepare him for 2026."

He continued: "He has done around 9,000 kilometers in Formula 1 cars. He will only be a child prodigy when he actually delivers the performance in Formula 1. We hope it happens sooner rather than later, but certainly not right at the beginning."

The Austrian also plans to take the pressure off of Antonelli in terms of managing the expectations. "[We can do that] by warning all our shareholders not to believe that the good test results will simply translate into the race."

Antonelli will be one of five rookies beginning their first full season in Formula One this March. See the images of the Italian driving below!


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