George Russell has now revealed what he has ‘heard’ from Mercedes about Andrea Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Italian’s second private test in the Silver Arrows’ F1 car.
The Brackley outfit have begun putting Antonelli through a testing programme to get the 17-year-old up to speed. Mercedes want to see how ready their academy talent is for a possible graduation to Formula 1 ahead of Lewis Hamilton leaving the team at the end of the season.
Antonelli enjoyed his first outing in modern F1 machinery in April with a two-day test driving the 2021 Mercedes, the W12, at the Red Bull Ring. He will also get behind the wheel of their 2022 car, the W13, at Silverstone next week. It will be his first outing in a current-gen F1 car.
George Russell has ‘no doubt’ Mercedes gem Andrea Kimi Antonelli is destined for F1
Mercedes sought to hand Antonelli his first F1 test with their 2021 car as it took Hamilton to eight wins and Valtteri Bottas to one. The teenager completed 500km in the car at the home of the Austrian GP, too. He will now drive a ground-effect car for the first time at Silverstone.
Antonelli will share the track at the home of the British GP with Mercedes’ F1 reserve driver, Mick Schumacher. It is touted as a straight showdown between the pair to prove their speed and to offer Antonelli a comparison, having enjoyed the track to himself at the Red Bull Ring.
READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything you need to know
Russell admits that it is difficult for Mercedes and Antonelli to gauge his performance at the Red Bull Ring without another driver’s data to compare. But the 26-year-old has also shared that Mercedes are impressed by their academy driver and he expects a future in F1 awaits.
“I’ve heard he’s been doing a good job,” Russell said, via RacingNews365. “Obviously, when you’re driving alone it’s always difficult to get a reference, and for him it’s just about gaining the necessary experience.
“There’s no doubt he’s going to be a Mercedes driver at some point in the future. Is that next year? Is it in years to come? Time will tell.
“He’s a great driver, he’s won everything in his junior career. So, there’s no reason not to see him in Formula 1 and mixing with the best in the years to come.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli could debut in F1 with Williams in 2024
Antonelli impressing during his upcoming test at Silverstone against Schumacher’s laps can go a long way to securing the Mercedes protégé a seat on the Formula 1 grid. Tom Clarkson has even reported that Antonelli could replace Logan Sargeant at Williams in the 2024 term.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff wants Antonelli in the Silver Arrows’ garage long-term. But they might loan the Italian after the summer break to gain experience at Williams, who have even asked the FIA for special dispensation so Antonelli can race in F1 before he is 18.
Antonelli only turns 18 on August 25, which is the day of the Dutch GP – F1’s first race after the summer break. Without the FIA allowing the Mercedes gem to race before his birthday, he must wait for the Italian GP. It could be a big ask to debut in F1 at Antonelli’s home race.
The post ‘I’ve heard’: Russell shares what Mercedes are now say about Antonelli appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
