Toto Wolff gives verdict on Kimi Antonelli’s private F1 tests amid 2025 Mercedes seat talk

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For the fifth race weekend in succession, Formula 2 is shadowing Formula 1 at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The F1 paddock can look forward to a four-week break after the race in Spa before heading to Zandvoort, while Formula 2 get to relax until the following race in Monza at the beginning of September.

So much can still happen in Formula 1 with more than 10 races to go, but the F2 championship is entering the closing stages.

The drivers at the front of the grid are fighting to win the championship – or potentially come a close 2^nd-place if they have no F1 seat lined up – to try and convince the teams in the paddock they’re deserving of a promotion to the paddock in 2025.

Oliver Bearman is the first driver since Logan Sargeant to already be guaranteed a direct route from Formula 2 to Formula 1.

However, his PREMA teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli is also being touted as a future star and a seat has opened up for the Italian teenager on the grid.

Lewis Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari has left Mercedes with a dilemma that the 17-year-old may end up being the answer to.

Toto Wolff has been speaking about Antonelli after his strong performances at the British and Hungarian Grand Prix, via Autosport.

Antonelli currently sits 6^th in the F2 standings with McLaren youngster Gabriel Bortoleto the only rookie ahead of him in the championship.

Wins in the Sprint Race at Silverstone and the Feature Race at the Hungaroring have silenced some of the doubters around the 17-year-old.

However, Wolff may have to help Antonelli get over his own doubts about stepping up next year if he’s going to partner him with George Russell.

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

Toto Wolff provides his verdict on Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes F1 tests

Antonelli has been taking part in F1 tests behind the scenes with Mercedes but the results of those tests are being closely guarded.

There was talk that Antonelli had convinced Mercedes board members he was the right man for the job with his performances in the car.

Mick Schumacher raced against Antonelli in another test as he looks to return to Formula 1.

Wolff was asked about Antonelli and as well as explaining his stance on bringing him into F1 also gave a one-word verdict on his testing performances: “In a way, we sometimes forget how stupid you were at 17.

“I can tell you clearly my lack of maturity wouldn’t allow me to make clear decisions in such a highly competitive field.

“So, what I would like to see from him is do mistakes, learn from them and continue to guide the team to improve the performance for Prema, tyre management, reading the race, reading the tyre. And all of that, he has done.

“Now we are ready to see if he can concentrate on that level, but in F2 it is always difficult to judge. What we see in the data from the F1 test is encouraging.”

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

Kimi Antonelli going head-to-head with current F1 star for 2025 Mercedes seat

Antonelli isn’t the only driver on the shortlist at Mercedes as they continue to take their time in choosing Russell’s next teammate.

Carlos Sainz needs a seat for next season after losing his place at Ferrari to Hamilton.

Wolff has admitted Sainz is on his radar at Mercedes and could be a good short-term option to give Antonelli another year to prepare elsewhere.

That could mean another year at F2 level unless he miraculously wins the championship or trying to place him at Williams in a similar way to Russell.

Whatever happens, Antonelli will know he has time on his side and while he might struggle to turn down a race seat in Formula 1, it’s not a disaster if he’s not on the grid in 2025.