Mercedes could place Kimi Antonelli at four-podium F1 team if he’s not ‘ready’ for 2025

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Kimi Antonelli has been under the microscope ever since Lewis Hamilton announced that he’d be joining Ferrari for 2025. Mercedes have been evaluating whether he’s ready to succeed the seven-time world champion.

Team principal Toto Wolff regards Antonelli as a prodigious talent. In his eyes, he’s Mercedes’ version of Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen.

But equally, he’s wary of causing lasting damage to the Italian by promoting him to a front-running F1 seat too soon. Indeed, there’s a growing possibility that Mercedes could contend for the title next year, which would increase the pressure considerably.

Similar to Prema teammate Oliver Bearman, who’s joining Haas for next year, Antonelli has impressed in F1 machinery and perhaps slightly underwhelmed in F2. One test in the 2022 Mercedes at Imola was described as ‘stunning’.

However, it took the 17-year-old until the British Grand Prix weekend to win his first F2 race. That’s partly a sign of Prema’s struggles and his own inexperience, but the reality is that Antonelli, now eighth in the championship and 74 off the lead, has yet to entirely convince.

As a result, Carlos Sainz is back in contention to join Mercedes. Sainz is a proven commodity at the front of the field but the length of his contract could be an issue as Wolff tries to ensure there remains a long-term opening for Antonelli or even his dream target Verstappen.

Alpine also an option for Kimi Antonelli in 2025

Up to this point, Williams have looked like Mercedes’ plan-b. James Vowles asked the FIA if he could run Antonelli in an FP1 session before he turned 18 at the end of August.

The Grove outfit previously fielded Antonelli’s would-be teammate George Russell for three seasons before he replaced Valtteri Bottas. Their engine deal with Mercedes made them a standout destination.

But now Alpine are in talks to join the German manufacturer’s family. And in theory, hiring Antonelli could net them a discount on those power units from 2026.

According to Motorsport.com, Mercedes could ‘place’ him at either Williams or Alpine if they decide he’s not ‘ready’ to partner Russell, and instead needs to build his experience in the midfield. It’s also possible that he remains in F2 for another year.

His future is still undecided for now, and Sainz may wait as long as he can in the hope of receiving a suitable offer. That, however, is a risky game.

Toto Wolff warns Antonelli about ‘idiots’ in F2

Alpine looked set to sign Sainz, but Mercedes’ hesitation over Antonelli has changed the landscape once again. This could force Bruno Famin’s outfit, who have scored four podiums since their 2021 rebrand, to hire a young driver instead.

They’ve already tied Pierre Gasly down to a long-term deal, with Esteban Ocon vacating the other seat at the end of the season. The Frenchman would be the veteran team leader alongside a driver like Antonelli, Jack Doohan or Mick Schumacher.

Alpine have improved on track as the season has gone on, notching seven points-finishes since Miami after a five-race barren run to start the year. But the ongoing off-track instability at Enstone could put Mercedes off – there’s been an exodus of key personnel since last summer and their status as a works team is now in question.

Antonelli, for his part, will still be focused on securing one of the most desirable seats on the grid for 2025. Toto Wolff has warned him about ‘idiots’ in the F2 midfield, underscoring the importance of qualifying at the front.