Martin Brundle shares his prediction for ‘incredible’ Kimi Antonelli’s future amid vacant Mercedes seat

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Mercedes believe they’ve got one of the most talented young drivers in motorsport on their books right now.

Kimi Antonelli has been widely touted as a star of the future for some time having won numerous championships already in his burgeoning career.

The Mercedes youngster was a star of FRECA last year and leapfrogged the Formula 3 series this season.

It meant the 17-year-old was asked to jump straight into Formula 2 and after a slow start is beginning to find his feet.

The timing of Antonelli’s promotion couldn’t have been any better for the young Italian.

Lewis Hamilton shocked the world of Formula 1 by announcing he would be joining Ferrari in 2025.

Team principal Toto Wolff still hasn’t announced who his replacement is going to be yet, although Carlos Sainz may have ruled himself out of a move to Mercedes.

Martin Brundle was speaking on Sky Sports F1 ahead of qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix about the driver’s market.

Antonelli is the young driver not currently on the grid who has the best chance of a promotion from F2 at this stage.

Being part of a young driver program appears to be a necessity at this stage and Antonelli might just be in the right place at the right time to become the latest teenager to join the Formula 1 grid.

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Martin Brundle shares Mercedes hopes for Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes have the most desirable open seat for 2025 on the grid, but they’ve already narrowed down their shortlist to a handful of drivers.

Max Verstappen is still the top target for Mercedes but it looks more and more difficult to get him out of his Red Bull contract this year.

Wolff also hasn’t ruled out a move for Sainz although that looks a lot less likely at this stage.

Brundle was speaking about Antonelli’s chances and said: “I think Mercedes want this to happen. They want Antonelli to be the right decision. George can lead the team.

“This lad’s got some incredible talent. We know that from all of his karting and junior racing.

“He’s got a two-day test here after the Grand Prix, that I believe is what will happen at Mercedes Benz.”

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

Kimi Antonelli unsure about Formula 1 promotion despite recent promising results

It appears to have clicked in Formula 2 for Antonelli at Italian team PREMA during the past three weekends.

He won the Sprint Race at Silverstone in changeable conditions before a brilliant drive to win the Feature Race in Hungary.

Yesterday’s F2 race at Spa was initially suspended before being red-flagged less than halfway through the race due to the weather.

However, Antonelli still looked rapid and was unlucky not to score points for following the safety car home in 6^th.

His overtake on Franco Colapinto going through Eau Rouge was the highlight of the shortened race.

The Italian has more than matched teammate Oliver Bearman this year and that will encourage Mercedes considering the British teenager has already signed a deal with Haas for 2025.

Antonelli has suggested he’s not sure he’s ready to race in F1 just yet but if Mercedes continue to put their faith in him, then that will only boost his confidence.

George Russell will be expected to lead the team in 2025 and mentor the 17-year-old if he joins the grid next year.