The biggest revelation from the Italian GP was Mercedes signing Kimi Antonelli for th 2025 season and beyond. After Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari, the Mercedes seat was vacant. The team was looking for a talented heir who could take the mantle. Although several names circulated within Silver Arrows management, Toto Wolff remained confident in his choice for the replacement.
While this announcement has solved a much-anticipated mystery, F1 experts are unsure about its efficacy. Many believe the German Marque have rushed the rookie, which might backfire. However, Wolff has portrayed confidence in the youngster, claiming him to be the ‘Next Hamilton.’ On the other hand, an ex-Mercedes driver has warned Kimi ahead of his debut.
“Won’t Be Easy,” Valtteri Bottas Verdict On Kimi Antonelli’s F1 Debut
At the beginning of this season, F1 experts complained that the F1 teams had not included enough rookie drivers. However, after some shocking swaps, the entire driver’s carousel was flipped upside down. This paved the way for young rookies like Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli. While Bearman will be at the helm of an Alpine car, Antonelli will carry a heavier burden on his shoulders. The Italian, who just got eligible for a FIA super license, will replace a seven-time world champion. However, Antonelli’s meteoric rise is the reason behind his promotion. The young racer was exceptional during his F2 stint and is poised to be the next big thing in F1. Although the excitement to sign an F1 contract is undeniable, a former Mercedes racer offered a gentle alert to Antonelli.
During the recent SKY SPORTS F1 PODCAST episode, Valtteri Bottas gave his verdict on Antonelli’s Mercedes entry. Bottas claimed if the Silver Arrows have a fast car, they will like to maximize the points. Further, the former Mercedes driver believes Toto Wolff will have ‘great expectations’ from the rookie racer. Moroever, it “won’t be easy” for Antonelli as he lacks the experience of driving a single-seater. Nevertheless, Bottas remains confident in the team’s strategy to nurture a talented racer like Kimi and prepare him for the main stage. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old acknowledges the pressure of expectations from being part of an elite team.
The Young Italian Prodigy Earns High Praise From McLaren Starlet
McLaren racer Oscar Piastri has hailed Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable journey to F1. He highlighted Kimi’s smooth transition from the junior category to F2, where he faced slight challenges with Prema Racing.
However, Piastri believes Kimi will have an amazing run in F1. His talent is the reason Mercedes has placed him in one of the quickest F1 cars. Therefore, the Australian racer is looking forward to a fierce challenge from the rookie racer.