Why Davide Valsecchi is ‘worried’ for Kimi Antonelli’s career after Toto Wolff decision

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Kimi Antonelli will step up to Formula 1 with Mercedes next season, partnering with George Russell, a decision that has created plenty of conversation in the paddock.

The Italian driver has been fast-tracked to Formula 1 after winning multiple championships, skipping FIA F3 and competing in Formula 2 this year.

Kimi Antonelli has undertaken an extensive testing programme in slightly older Mercedes Formula 1 cars to gain a better understanding of how to maximise lap time at the highest level.

After crashing on his Grand Prix weekend debut in FP1 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Antonelli already faces significant pressure and more media attention than most rookies receive.

Davide Valsecchi ‘cannot understand’ why Andrea Kimi Antonelli is racing for Mercedes in Formula 1 so soon

Antonelli will become the youngest driver on the grid and will be expected to compete for podiums from the first round in Australia if Mercedes keeps up its trajectory of results.

The 18-year-old is the first rookie to be parachuted straight into a top team since Lewis Hamilton partnered Fernando Alonso at McLaren in 2007.

As he will be under pressure to deliver at the front, Antonelli will need to be on the pace immediately, and he can’t afford too many rookie errors.

Former GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi is confused as to why Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff wanted to rush Antonelli to drive for Mercedes when a team further down the field such as Williams had a vacancy.

He said on the F1 Nation podcast: “Why are they rushing so much with his career? “One year seeing him battling for the Formula 2 Championship, one year in Williams, ready to rock the world.

“20 years old, perfect timing. I’m worried for his career because I want to have him so badly racing for the World Championship in Formula 1.

“I cannot understand why Toto Wolf always did the opposite, and now he’s rushing so much with a career with a young star. I think this man is extraordinary. We need to let him have the time to understand and to have the feeling of the pressure of Formula 1.”

Toto Wolff surely didn’t want to lose Andrea Kimi Antonelli as he lost Max Verstappen in 2014

Max Verstappen has battled Mercedes and Toto Wolff throughout his Formula 1 career, but the Dutchman could have raced for the German team.

The three-time world champion had the opportunity to take a reserve driver role with Mercedes in F1 for 2015 or a GP2 campaign.

Red Bull offered the much more compelling prospect of a full-time race seat with Toro Rosso in Formula 1, which Verstappen eventually selected.

Losing a talented driver such as Antonelli would have been a step backwards for Wolff’s team and if Antonelli performs, Mercedes will be rewarded for taking such a gamble.