The Formula 1 driver’s market is still in a precarious position but despite having a seat to fill for 2025, Mercedes don’t appear to be taking part in the merry-go-round.
The likes of Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon – who is still managed by Toto Wolff – will be free agents going into next season.
However, Mercedes appear to have no interest in these drivers and have narrowed down their shortlist to two drivers.
The first is triple world champion Max Verstappen amid unrest within the Red Bull team.
However, Red Bull’s decision to renew Sergio Perez’s contract suggests that they’re confident that Verstappen will stay.
The other option Mercedes are considering is junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Speaking on the Autosport Podcast, journalist Jon Noble has shared what he’s heard about how Antonelli has been performing in private Formula 1 tests.
The 17-year-old Italian is doing everything he can to make sure he’s ready should Mercedes decide to put him in Lewis Hamilton’s car next year.
READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything you need to know
Journalist shares what he’s heard about Kimi Antonelli’s private Mercedes F1 tests
Kimi Antonelli is being hailed as one of the most exciting talents to come through the junior ranks of motor racing in some time.
After winning Italian F4 and FRECA in back-to-back years, he was promoted straight into PREMA’s Formula 2 team for the 2024 season.
Antonelli hasn’t blown the field away with his performances but has consistently finished in the points and has a 30-point advantage over teammate and fellow F1 hopeful Oliver Bearman.
Mercedes have recognised Antonelli’s talent and begun to run him in as many Formula 1 tests as they can.
Antonelli has been testing alongside Mick Schumacher and the last Mercedes junior to make it onto the grid – George Russell.
There has been a lot of speculation about how Antonelli has performed in these tests, but Noble has now shared what he’s been told about his displays.
Unsurprisingly, there’s been an awful lot of hype about the 17-year-old and some of it may have been blown out of proportion.
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Kimi Antonelli’s testing performances with Mercedes shared
Talking about the Italian teenager, Noble said: “From what I understand, Toto [Wolff] has been crystal clear that Kimi Antonelli is a star of the future.
“I think 2025, with 2026 rules coming up and Mercedes not in a position to be fighting for world championships at the moment, it’s the perfect time to bring a rookie up.
“I think everything’s pointing towards Antonelli doing it, they’ve ramped up the F1 testing programme.
“Mercedes have been at pains to kind of play down talks that these are shootout tests where he’s going up against Mick [Schumacher].
“There was a test previously at Silverstone, I think it was over two or three days with Mick and George Russell and people making up stories about Kimi doing times quicker than George Russell and all this sort of thing which I’m told isn’t correct.
“Different days, different tyres, different fuel loads, it’s all kind of impossible.
“But, I think Antonelli’s times are respectable, he’s impressing the team, they want to see some progress and it keeps rolling on.
“If I had to put some money on who’s going to be George Russell’s teammate at Mercedes next year, I think I’d put it on Antonelli.”
Kimi Antonelli has age on his side but can’t afford to be patient
Although it’s too early to say that Antonelli was faster than George Russell behind the scenes, it might not be long until they’re racing against each other in Formula 1.
Antonelli turns 18 before the Italian Grand Prix and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mercedes handed him his first FP1 outing that weekend.
He may even be on the grid at that event with Antonelli linked with replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams.
Mercedes would love to give Antonelli as much experience as possible and a cameo with Williams before the start of the 2025 season would be perfect.
Expectations will be sky-high on the Italian as soon as he steps foot on the grid and a few races further down the paddock before being tasked with replacing a seven-time world champion could do him the world of good.
The post ‘Making up stories’: Journalist now shares exactly what he’s heard about Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes F1 tests appeared first on F1 Oversteer.