Toto Wolff admits Mercedes ‘wouldn’t have found’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli without key figure after 2025 announcement

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli will become the youngest driver on the Formula 1 grid for the 2025 season.

The 18-year-old Italian was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes during his home Grand Prix weekend at Monza. Antonelli will partner George Russell in a pairing that is anticipated to be for the long-term future of the team.

Mercedes handed Antonelli his debut on a Formula 1 weekend at the Italian Grand Prix as he drove Russell’s car in FP1, but the session did not go according to plan.

Coming out of Parabolica on only his second flying lap, Antonelli lost the back end and suffered a 52G crash as he spun across the gravel and into the barriers.

While an accident like this will no doubt knock the confidence of any young driver, Mercedes were full of praise for Antonelli and were seemingly unbothered by the ordeal. So much so, that the Italian was confirmed to race for the team in 2025 the following day.

Toto Wolff says Mercedes ‘wouldn’t have found’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli if it was not for Gwen Lagrue

Speaking after the Italian Grand Prix, team principal Toto Wolff hailed one key figure at Mercedes for scoping out Antonelli for the team’s young driver programme.

Antonelli was signed to Mercedes in 2019 having been first noticed when he was 11 years old by Gwen Lagrue, who runs the junior programme. Since being affiliated with Mercedes, Antonelli has won four junior titles, including the FRECA and Formula Regional Middle East Championship last season.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything to know

According to Wolff, Mercedes would not have come across Antonelli if it was not for Lagrue.

He told the media at Monza, via RacingNews365: “I think most of the credit needs to go to Gwen and his team, who manages our Academy because they are able to scout from a very early age onwards.

“We, as Mercedes, wouldn’t have found Kimi. He was 11 years old, and we saw the results on the track and obviously working with the karting teams, but it’s amazing to see.

“With George, he actually found us, put his best suit on, and went to see me in my office with a PowerPoint presentation!

“It’s good that we are now here, in 2024, with two very serious juniors that we were able to support from the very early stages of their career.

“George has ticked all the boxes, won all the championships that were necessary, and, in the same way, Kimi.”

Can Andrea Kimi Antonelli perform at Mercedes at 2025?

While most fans’ reaction to Antonelli’s signing was met with praise, there have been some that have questioned Mercedes’ decision.

Coming into a top team at such a young age is very rare in F1 and the Italian will be expected to deliver results given his impressive career to date. Davide Valsecchi is worried for Antonelli’s career by joining Mercedes, as the team have signed him at only 18 years old.

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

His crash at Monza will not have helped his case. Eddie Jordan believes Mercedes have made a mistake with Antonelli due to the pressure that comes with joining the Brackley-based squad.

But it is clear that the Silver Arrows have faith in Antonelli and see him as a long-term project. With Antonelli due to have another FP1 outing in 2024, everyone will be eager to see how he fairs before making the permanent switch to F1 next year.