Mercedes Method 1 workforce principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to be on the tempo with George Russell throughout his rookie season, however insists the Italian’s purpose is get acclimatised forward of 2026.
Antonelli was introduced by the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term alternative for Lewis Hamilton, a plan which needed to be expedited when Hamilton determined to depart for Ferrari forward of this season.
Antonelli’s promotion is the end result of a seven-year undertaking and, regardless of his tender age of 18, the younger Italian is backed by Wolff to begin matching his skilled teammate Russell from the off.
“After we determined to go for Kimi, it was clear that we’re going for a younger driver that has proven super potential within the junior sequence since we have recognized him,” Wolff stated as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne’s St Kilda seaside.
“For Kimi, it is concerning the time to develop, to be taught the tracks, to be on prime for subsequent yr, the regulation change. Meaning nice outcomes and which means moments the place it will be harder.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
“I stated to George: ‘We do not anticipate you to only be crushing Kimi on a regular basis’.
“We would not have employed Kimi if we thought that may be the case. So, I consider by way of pace, Kimi goes to be proper up there with George. There’s rather a lot to be taught by way of lengthy operating the tyres, and the event goes to be steep.
“Now we have a driver mixture of 1 very younger driver, 18 years previous, and one other younger driver, 27 years previous, and hopefully they’ll push one another, and push one another sturdy.”
Wolff additionally reiterated that together with his selection for homegrown abilities Russell and Antonelli, making a transfer for Max Verstappen is not on his radar right now.
“We have to consider our driver line-up,” Wolff stated. “We have to do the perfect that now we have. I do not flirt outdoors if we’re having relationship. And that’s true for this yr too. So in the mean time, that isn’t on our radar.”
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Method 1
George Russell
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
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