Mercedes and Ferrari are looking for a new chapter in their F1 story. They have seen their fair share of successes and failures. However, in recent times, they have seen some big changes. The most significant change has been the move of Lewis Hamilton from the Silver Arrows to the Prancing Horse. Albeit the most decorated racer in the sport is still driving for the German outfit in 2024, it will be his final season with the team he has been an integral part of since 2013. Moreover, next season, fans will finally see the seven-time champion race for the most successful F1 team in history.
Now, to replace the great British racer, Mercedes might eventually select Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian prodigy is still the top choice to replace Hamilton at the German outfit. On the other hand, another young driver caught the attention this season while driving for Ferrari – Oliver Bearman. As per recent announcements, Bearman will race for Haas next season. As F1 sees the entry of these new young racers, the former F1 champion warned the respective teams to manage them properly.
Jenson Button Fears That Mismanagement Can Cause Destruction Of Bearman And Antonelli’s Careers
The 2009 F1 champion made his F1 debut when he was just 20 years old. He had to deal with comments like “He is too young.” Recently, Jenson Button told the media, including RacingNews365 that he remembers when Martin Brundle said he was too young. Moreover, the former F1 driver said Brundle was right because he hardly had any testing and the engines kept blowing up. It was 2000 when Button made his F1 debut. On his maiden appearance, he came very close to scoring a point as he was running sixth in the Australian GP.
A sixth-place finish was the final points-paying position back then. But Button retired 11 laps before the conclusion of that race. The former F1 racer mentioned that he did not have enough mileage to receive a “Super licence.” But the management gave it to him anyway. During practice in Melbourne, Button went and crashed. He said, “It was like, ‘See, we told you.'” That’s why the 2009 champion feels it is important that the teenage drivers jump on the opportunities whenever they get the offer to complete a move to F1.
Moroever, that’s what Oliver Bearman has done and so did Kimi Antonelli. The Italian prodigy completed several tests for the Mercedes team. Button said he doesn’t think the ages of 17, 18 or 19 are too young. He added, “You just can’t say no.” However, Button pointed at the teams and their responsibility towards these young drivers. They must really think about what they are doing to the careers of these young racers. Moreover, Button said when the racer blossoms, its great but there is a lot of pressure. This high level of pressure can destroy a racer’s career. Hence, the 2009 champ said the teams must be careful with the “Real balance” there.
Antonelli And Bearman Can Become Stars For Mercedes And Ferrari In Near Future
Mercedes can give a big opportunity to the Italian prodigy to replace Lewis Hamilton. It can be a chance of a lifetime for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Then, Oliver Bearman, Antonelli’s Prema-teammate in F2, really impressed everybody this year when he drove for Ferrari.
Bearman replaced Carlos Sainz for a couple of races early this year as the Spaniard had to go through an appendix surgery. Clearly, F1 is already seeing their future stars emerge in style. Now, as Button puts it, the teams need to be careful in managing these young drivers when they complete their F1 debut by next year.
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