David Croft gives two key reasons why Mercedes shouldn’t promote Kimi Antonelli for 2025

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One of the quartet of seats still available on the 2025 Formula 1 grid is at Mercedes but it appears Toto Wolff has finally settled on who’s going to partner George Russell next year.

Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari caught everyone off guard and team principal Toto Wolff hasn’t rushed into a decision to replace him.

Wolff considered Carlos Sainz as an option but he eventually decided to join Williams after months of pondering his future.

Plenty of drivers who are becoming free agents next year would have happily put themselves forward for the role, but someone who has never driven a Formula 1 car in public appears set to step up.

Kimi Antonelli has risen through the ranks of karting and junior formula series at a rapid rate and with plenty of fanfare surrounding him.

The 17-year-old Italian hasn’t stormed Formula 2 during his debut season in a similar way to the likes of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, but his recent performances have been strong.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, commentator David Croft was analysing whether Mercedes should promote Antonelli.

Croft isn’t completely sure that Antonelli will be on the grid in 2025 and has given several reasons why delaying his promotion might not be a bad idea.

While there are arguments for and against handing Antonelli a race seat alongside George Russell, Mercedes may have left themselves in a position where he’s now the only available viable option.

READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything to know

David Croft gives reasons why Mercedes should delay promoting Kimi Antonelli

Talking about the situation at the Silver Arrows, Croft said: “I don’t want to sound like I’m sat on the fence here, but every time I think Kimi Antonelli, he’s going to get the drive, then I change my mind and I think, yeah but it could be someone else.

“Every time I think Mercedes are right to put Antonelli in because I think he is a fine driver and I’m not sure what’s going on at his F2 team, but it’s not just him, it’s Ollie Bearman as well that seem to be struggling at times albeit Antonelli’s done better in the last couple of races.

“Every time I think it’s right I think, oh no it’s too much pressure on him, or what’s the point in putting him in 2025 when everything’s going to change so drastically for 2026?

“Why not just have him working on the sim religiously for 2026, driving the 2026 car on the sim whilst giving him another year in F2 to keep on racing?

“I still think Mercedes are a bit undecided as to what the best forward is on that as well but they also have a duty to get the best drivers they can.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

When Mercedes could give Kimi Antonelli his first F1 appearance

Croft’s points are valid, with the pressure likely to be on Antonelli as soon as he steps into a Mercedes car for the first time in public.

If he does make his debut in 2025, only the clamour around Hamilton’s Ferrari debut might trump the interest in how the teenager performs.

Mercedes could give Antonelli his first F1 public outing at Monza, which would be the perfect opportunity for the youngster to perform in front of his home crowd.

Italy haven’t had a driver to cheer on since Antonio Giovinazzi who last competed in F1 in 2021.

During his 62 F1 races, Giovinazzi only scored 21 points – a tally Antonelli could theoretically overtake on his debut if the stars align.

There are few countries with a prouder racing history than Italy and Antonelli looks set to be the next star to emerge from Ferrari’s homeland even if he’ll be racing for one of their direct rivals.