While the celebrations are still happening in the Mercedes factory after Hamilton’s victory, a question is still hovering over the squad. Since Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move, the second seat alongside George Russell had been a mystery.
Although plenty of options are available, F1 aficionados tipped the Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli to be the next Mercedes superstar. Further, his recent performance in F2 has been impressive. However, Toto Wolff is in no hurry to sign Antonelli for the 2025 season.
“We Need To Stay Calm & Continue The Season,” Toto Wolff’s Take On The Future Mercedes Prospect
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized that the team focuses on developing a fast car rather than allowing recent victories to alter their approach. He stated that having a quick car is the priority, and once they achieve that, the team will consider driver options. Further, Wolff stressed the importance of staying calm, continuing the season, and focusing on car performance without letting race wins change their overall strategy.
Moreover, the Austrian also reflected on a memorable moment at the British Grand Prix, where he observed a young Italian driver, who didn’t yet have a driving license, watching the greatest British driver compete. This young driver’s aspiration to achieve similar success, possibly at Monza, was evident.
Discussing the challenges in Formula 2, Wolff noted that the Prema team’s drivers, including the talented Oliver Bearman, have struggled with car performance this year. Despite these difficulties, Mercedes chief highlighted the potential of the young Italian driver, who demonstrated remarkable talent by outperforming others significantly in Saturday’s race. According to Wolff, winning that race likely alleviated much pressure on the young driver.
“You Have To Make Mistakes,” Max Verstappen’s Advice For Kimi Antonelli
In a recent discussion highlighted by The Race, Max Verstappen shared valuable insights on the journey to success in Formula 1, drawing from his own experiences. Verstappen emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes, something he is intimately familiar with. Early in his career, the Dutchman was often perceived as rash and hot-headed, resulting in several on-track incidents. However, he believes these experiences are crucial for growth. “You have to make mistakes,” Verstappen stated, explaining that despite telling yourself not to do certain things, true adaptation comes from making mistakes and learning from them.
Verstappen also touched on another vital element of success in Formula 1: having a strong relationship with one’s race engineer. He pointed out that a good rapport with the engineer can significantly enhance a driver’s performance. Referring to Kimi Antonelli, Verstappen noted that the more Antonelli communicates with his future race engineer, the more naturally he will be able to fine-tune the car to his liking. This synergy between driver and engineer is essential for achieving optimal performance on the track.