‘Our future’: Wolff suggests Mercedes already have ‘very talented’ teenager lined-up to replace Hamilton

Follow us on Google Discover

Toto Wolff has suggested Mercedes already have a ‘very talented’ driver in the ranks who could succeed Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff has explained that he is happy with his current driver line-up.

However he did mention that he and the team envision teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli as the future of the racing team.

With Lewis Hamilton in the last years of his career, George Russell could soon become the senior driver with 17-year-old Antonelli tipped for a huge future.

Addressing the future of Mercedes’ driver line-up, Wolff spoke with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.

Wolff on Antonelli

“For my life principle, I don’t want to flirt around if my marriage is happy, it only creates chaos. We have a strong couple, in whom we believe, were positive with the team even when the car was terrible. 

“Therefore we have never spoken to anyone other. There are fast and interesting drivers, there is no doubt. But we focus on ourselves. And on our future men. Antonelli, for example, is a very talented Italian driver in whom we have invested.

“He won everything in F4, is leading the Formula Regional championship and has shown that he is really strong, fantastic to see. But we don’t want to put too much pressure on him.

“Let’s finish the work for 2023, then we’ll see what to do next year in agreement with his family who is very balanced. Andrea is only 17 years old, we don’t want to burn him, we have to let him become an adult. We need to do everything calmly.”

Too soon for Antonelli

The young driver is probably a few years away from being trusted in an F1 car yet.

This could explain Mercedes’ eagerness to keep Hamilton for now, as signing a long term contract with a young driver would only hinder Antonelli.

We expect the teenager to be knocking on the door by the time the new regulations are implemented in 2026.