One driver may be reluctant to join Mercedes next year because of rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Matt Gallagher says.
17-year-old F2 star Antonelli is part of the driving academy of the Silver Arrows, who need to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton for next year.
And Gallagher, from popular F1 channel ‘P1 with Matt and Tommy’, said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast that he could stand in the way of one 2025 transfer.
Antonelli has generated significant excitement on his rise through the junior formulae.
Some engineers told Karun Chandhok that they hadn’t seen anybody as fast in an F3 car since Max Verstappen, who has since gone on to win three F1 titles.
It’s thought that Antonelli is in contention to replace Hamilton when he joins Ferrari.
But there’s also a school of thought that he could join Williams as an intermediate step, just like George Russell.
One journalist says it’s ‘very, very possible’ that former Mercedes strategist James Vowles could land the Italian for 2025.
A five-time champion in the lower categories, Antonelli currently sits ninth in the F2 standings after the first three rounds.
The teammate of Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman, he notched season-best results of second in qualifying and fourth in the feature race in Australia.
Matt Gallagher says Carlos Sainz won’t be Kimi Antonelli stop-gap
Carlos Sainz is out of a drive for next year, with Ferrari axing him to make room for Hamilton.
Discussing possible destinations for the Australian Grand Prix winner, Gallagher suggested that Antonelli could prevent a move to Mercedes.
Sainz may be reluctant to accept an offer from Toto Wolff in the knowledge that he might have to move aside for the youngster in 2026.
Gallagher said: “Maybe Mercedes, but will he accept a year if then Kimi Antonelli is absolutely knocking on the door and Mercedes have promised him this, that and the other?
“You then think ‘does Carlos want to be thrown around team to team?’”
Where will Carlos Sainz race next year?
If a move to Mercedes doesn’t appeal, 20-podium star Sainz does at least have a multitude of other options.
Following his victory in Melbourne, Red Bull have reportedly made him the ‘top candidate’ to replace Verstappen, should the world champion move on.
Verstappen himself is a target for Mercedes and Aston Martin ahead of a major regulation change in 2026.
Aston owner Lawrence Stroll could also pursue Sainz, with Lance Stroll and 42-year-old Fernando Alonso both out of contract at the end of the year.
There’s also the bold choice of joining Sauber, who will become Audi in 2026 following a takeover.
They currently sit second from bottom in the constructors’ standings but Audi are hopeful of winning titles by the start of the next decade.
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