The name on everybody’s lips when it comes to who will be replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season is Kimi Antonelli.
It’s incredible to think that less than 12 months ago the 17-year-old Italian was racing – and winning – in FRECA, the level below Formula 3.
However, the F1 driver’s market works in mysterious ways and all of a sudden Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff might be lining up the teenager for a race seat next year.
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Journalist Ian Parkes was speaking about the prospect of Kimi Antonelli racing in Formula 1 on the Racing News 365 Podcast.
There are so many factors that go into reaching F1 and while you need huge amounts of talent, you also need an opportunity at the perfect moment.
That could happen to Antonelli this year with the FIA changing the rules of the minimum age for a Super License.
However, the mood within the teenager’s management team suggests they might not be pushing too hard to make use of the rule change.
Kimi Antonelli’s management unsure about early promotion to Formula 1
There are a few drivers on the grid who are in danger of losing their seats before the end of the season.
Daniel Ricciardo is the only driver in the Red Bull quartet not signed up for 2025 yet and has Liam Lawson looming in the garage at every race weekend watching his every move.
One journalist has admitted that they’re not convinced that Ricciardo will see out the rest of the campaign.
However, the driver who appears to be most at risk this season is Logan Sargeant.
Williams are actively courting a new driver for 2025 with Carlos Sainz at the top of their list of replacements.
The American crashed out in Canada despite a positive performance in qualifying putting further pressure on him.
There has been one suggestion that Sargeant could be replaced by Antonelli in Silverstone.
It would be a rapid ascent into F1 for Antonelli who has performed well in Formula 2 but is yet to secure a podium.
His management team are also unconvinced at this stage that stepping up to Formula 1 before the season is finished is the right idea.
However, when an opportunity in F1 arises, it’s a risky move to ever turn it down.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship
Kimi Antonelli could wait to make F1 debut even if Williams opportunity arises
Talking about Antonelli’s future, Parkes said: “From everything that we’re hearing, Mercedes do not want him to be in that car too soon, or be in F1 too soon.
“From everything that we’re also hearing from his management, they don’t want him to be in that car too soon and the reason being is because he keeps having this difficult season with PREMA in F2, they want him to get more F2 experience under his belt.
“In particular, F2 experience fighting at the front as well.
“OK, he’s had all of that throughout his junior career but they just want him to gain that additional racecraft in more powerful machinery before he pivots towards F1.”
READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything you need to know
Antonelli might already be aware that he’s going to be replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year.
It means that unlike someone like Liam Lawson who had to grasp every chance he got at AlphaTauri last year, biding his time in behind-closed-doors tests might be the better option.
The pressure will be on George Russell to lead the team in 2025, potentially allowing Antonelli to get to grips with the car at his own pace.
However, if he turns out not to be up to speed, then some Mercedes fans will question why Wolff didn’t pursue Carlos Sainz when he was available as a free agent.
The post ‘Everything that we’re hearing’: Kimi Antonelli’s team set stance on potential 2024 F1 entry – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.