Attempts to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025 pick up speed with first-ever Formula One test
Mercedes’ prospective replacement for Lewis Hamilton Today marks the first Formula One test for Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Today marks Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s F1 test debut as he auditions for a 2025 spot at Mercedes, the team that Lewis Hamilton may replace.
On Tuesday at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, the 17-year-old Italian will experience his first taste of Formula One machinery in a 2021 Mercedes W12.
The favorite to join George Russell’s Mercedes team in 2025 and take Hamilton’s place at Ferrari is reportedly Antonelli.
In the first of two F1 tests this year, Mercedes will assess their highly regarded protégé. Later in the season, Antonelli will also drive the team’s 2022 chassis.
Mercedes will also be keeping a close eye on Antonelli’s performance in his rookie Formula 2 season with Prema as they evaluate candidates for their open seat.
Mercedes is hesitant to let another youthful sensation pass them by after losing out to Red Bull on Max Verstappen.
Despite having a difficult start to the Formula 2 season, Antonelli’s victories in the ADAC F4 and Formula Regional championships have allowed him to accumulate the necessary super license points.
On August 25, the former karting sensation will turn eighteen and be qualified to compete in Formula One racing.
Team manager Toto Wolff stated, “The program of Kimi driving Formula 1 has been in place for a long time and hasn’t changed substantially over the previous few weeks,” in reference to Mercedes’ private test plans for Antonelli.
“What we’ve done is extend the duration by a few months, but the plans are still in place, regardless of whether he will drive a Formula 1 vehicle the following year.
“We’re going to take him out in an F1 car a couple of these days to get him used to it. It’s his first time driving the 2021 automobile in Austria. Before we put him in the ’22, we want to give him a taste of what a truly great automobile feels like!
He’s been our little son for a very long time, so it goes without saying that we’re excited to see what he can accomplish in a Formula 1 car.
[Reserve Ferrari] It was encouraging to see Ollie Bearman’s level of competition in Saudi Arabia. He was exactly where he should have been—no free practice, fast speed, challenging course. Kimi would therefore be doing well.
When asked about Mercedes’ driver conundrum for 2025, Wolff responded, “You can view at it from numerous perspectives,” citing the availability of seasoned options like Carlos Sainz.
“I think we’re in the rebuilding stage right now. After three years of these regulations, you have to admit that we need to change our approach without going too far in terms of what we think is a reasonable operational procedure.
“It may mean putting a more seasoned driver in the car who can help us dig ourselves out of the present performance picture, or it could mean putting a rookie driver in there and giving him an opportunity with less pressure than battling for victories straightaway.”
