F1 News
Wolff takes pressure off Antonelli: 'We warn them beforehand'
For the 2025 season, Mercedes have promoted Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton. It will the first time that a junior of the German team graduated immediately to their car. However, the Italian is not a 'normal' rookie, as the 18-year-old is predicted to have a great future ahead of him in F1 as a 'prodigy'. Still, Toto Wolff would prefer if miracles are not expected immediately from his driver.
Mercedes shareholders 'warned'
According to the German team, 2025 will be a development year for the Italian, as he will be allowed to make more mistakes in his rookie year. This is how they want to prepare him for the 2026, when the next regulation change will happen.
Still, there is a chance that fans and the media would judge Antonelli already in during the '25 season in a negative way. Team principal Toto Wolff is therefore already managing expectations, both internally and externally. "We do that by warning our shareholders and not letting them believe that good test results will translate directly into the race."
Antonelli will arrive to the start of the Australian GP this March well-prepared, however, if an outstanding result doesn't materialise, many might already question whether the Italian is really that talented as Mercedes believe. "He is not a prodigy until he actually performs well in Formula 1. We hope that happens sooner rather than later, but certainly don't expect it right at the start," Wolff continued.
Antonelli is not the only rookie. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) will also begin their first full-time season in the competition. According to Wolff, it is no coincidence that teams are willing to give talents a shot. "In 2026 there will be new regulations. Teams want to prepare for this. Therefore it is better to train rookies next year."
He concluded: "I think one of the triggers was Oliver Bearman's debut at Ferrari. He got into the car unprepared, has a free practice and is up front. Or when Colapinto made an immediate impression. Suddenly everyone saw that the guys were starting at a very high level."
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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