It has been highly anticipated who will replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as the Silver Arrows driver ahead of his departure from Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. There are now apparently just two contenders left in the race: Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Toto Wolff, the principal of the Mercedes team, has long been an admirer of Verstappen, who has recently dominated the sport. Wolff believes the current world champion is a perfect fit for Mercedes because he brings achievement and experience. Though Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull expires in 2028, obtaining him would be extremely difficult considering his present dedication to the company.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, on the other hand, is a young and aspirational substitute. The 17-year-old Italian has been a member of Mercedes’ junior program since 2019. He is presently a Formula 2 racer for Prema. After winning the Formula Regional European Championship, Antonelli skipped Formula 3 and is currently participating in his first Formula 2 season. Though still young, Antonelli has already shown remarkable talent, drawing comparisons to a young Verstappen.
Several drivers, including Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon, have been mentioned as possible possibilities for George Russell’s partnership in Hamilton. Another contender was Carlos Sainz, but as Sky Sports has revealed, that choice is no longer available, leaving just the two of them.
Antonelli’s Quick Ascent
Antonelli’s ascent through the ranks of racing has been extremely quick. He started his career in karting after being born in Bologna in 2006, and he gained notoriety fast by winning the European Karting Championship in 2020 and 2021. His early talent was apparent, and at the age of fifteen, he made his debut in the Italian F4 Championship. By taking home the Italian F4 championship and the ADAC Formula 4 crown in 2022, Antonelli showed that he was still on the rise.
Mercedes has been attentively observing Antonelli’s performance since he was promoted straight to Formula 2. In his first few races, he has finished in the top 10 multiple times, demonstrating incredible versatility despite being new to the sport. Given Mercedes’ long history of supporting young talent, his achievement has stoked more rumors about his possible promotion to Formula 1.
Wolff has been hesitant to push Antonelli into Formula 1, stressing the need to give him time to mature without undue pressure. However, if Antonelli’s F2 results keep getting better, the Mercedes team principal hasn’t ruled out giving him a promotion. The Mercedes W12 F1 car was also tested by the Italian, and the results were generally favorable.
Verstappen: The Demonstrated Winner
Conversely, Verstappen makes a different argument. With Red Bull, the Dutch driver has won three world championships, establishing him as a dominant force in Formula 1. Given his background and track record, Verstappen is a desirable possibility for Mercedes, particularly as they look to reclaim their competitive advantage following a difficult few seasons.
But trying to get Verstappen to leave Red Bull would be difficult and possibly expensive. Due to Verstappen’s close ties to the Red Bull team, any transfer would necessitate extensive negotiations and a substantial financial outlay from Mercedes. Despite these difficulties, Wolff has acknowledged Verstappen’s exceptional talent and possible impact on the squad, so he hasn’t ruled out the idea.
Verstappen and Antonelli’s decision will probably depend on a number of variables, such as how well Antonelli’s Formula 2 campaign is going and whether it will be possible to convince Verstappen to leave Red Bull. In order to restore their supremacy in Formula 1, Mercedes must make a crucial decision that will impact the team’s future regardless of the result.
The selection of Hamilton’s replacement will be critical as Mercedes navigates the transitional phase that follows his departure. Choosing between Max Verstappen’s demonstrated skill and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s youthful promise will have a lasting impact on the team’s future in the fiercely competitive Formula 1 championship.