Mercedes have blocked Kimi Antonelli from doing what Charles Leclerc did in F2

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes are closely evaluating academy driver Kimi Antonelli to establish whether he’s ready to race for them in 2025. The Italian would be replacing Lewis Hamilton, the most successful figure in the sport’s history.

In tandem with his Formula 2 campaign, Antonelli has been testing old Mercedes cars at various circuits. He drove the 2021 challenger at the Red Bull Ring, then its immediate successor at Imola and Silverstone.

The teenager’s debut F2 season hasn’t been as spectacular as many anticipated. He’s a solid eighth in the championship, but his Sprint Race win at Silverstone last time out was also his first podium of the campaign.

Mercedes have been offering him guidance on how to improve. Wolff says Antonelli ‘needs to learn’ to get off the line more consistently, and must avoid the ‘idiots’ in the midfield by improving in qualifying.

His F1 test sessions have been more impressive. Antonelli reportedly outpaced George Russell on a long run at Silverstone, although Mercedes have rejected any direct comparisons.

The team are clearly willing to wait as long as possible before making a decision on 2025. They know that Carlos Sainz is still on the market, which gives them an excellent alternative.

Mercedes have ‘tightly controlled’ Kimi Antonelli media appearances

According to Motorsport.com, Mercedes have restricted journalists’ access to Antonelli this year. His availability to the media has been ‘tightly controlled’.

This is part of their efforts to ‘carefully manage’ his development and shield him from the occasionally ‘brutal’ press. Ferrari took a different approach with Charles Leclerc during his F2 campaign in 2017, allowing him to regularly communicate with reporters.

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

That didn’t seem to hamper Leclerc in the slightest as he racked up seven wins and 10 podiums en route to the title. He would make his F1 debut with Sauber the following year.

Behind the scenes, Mercedes are giving Antonelli media training. The expectation is that he’ll be more visible in the second half of the year.

Williams not the only option for Antonelli if he doesn’t get Mercedes seat

If Mercedes decide that Antonelli isn’t ready to partner Russell next year, they still have multiple options. They could keep him in F2 for another year, or they could place him at a team further down the grid, where the glare of the spotlight wouldn’t be as intense.

Williams have been seen as the main plan-b thus far. They have close ties with the German manufacturer through their engine deal and they previously fielded Russell for three years.

Former Mercedes strategist James Vowles already asked the FIA if he could run Antonelli in an FP1 session before his 18th birthday. The rule preventing him from attaining a superlicence has now been removed.

But Antonelli could also join Alpine for 2025. Renault CEO Luca de Meo is in talks with Mercedes over a power unit supply, and the 17-year-old’s name could conceivably come up in negotiations.