Jul.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff is now freely admitting that Kimi Antonelli is his “first possibility” to exchange the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton from 2025.
Earlier, Max Verstappen was clearly the Mercedes boss’s number one decide to pair with George Russell subsequent yr – however the triple world champion now appears locked into his Pink Bull contract at the very least till 2026.
Wolff advised RTBF at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday: “However you by no means know. We’ve a teen who’s arriving and who may be very robust.”
That teen is 17-year-old Italian Antonelli, a Wolff-groomed protege whose current kind has been enhancing in his first season of System 2.
“I’ll proceed to watch the market,” Wolff has now advised Autosportwereld, a Belgian publication. “I’m not certain how issues will evolve additional at Pink Bull.
“The factors for our subsequent driver is straightforward – we wish the most effective driver obtainable. In the mean time, my first possibility is Kimi Antonelli,” he stated.
Some suppose Antonelli has already been advised he’s secured the seat, significantly with Carlos Sainz now stated to be on the verge of a Williams contract.
“Different drivers would signal a one or two-year contract, however that’s not sufficient for us,” Wolff insisted. “So I’m pleased to take a threat with Antonelli, as a result of it’s a calculated threat.
“For those who have a look at the progress of (Oscar) Piastri, it took him a yr and a half to compete for victory on the stage of Lando Norris. We need to attempt to do the identical with Kimi.
“In 2025, with the adjustments in 2026, we’ll be in transition anyway,” the Austrian added. “So it’s a superb season to deliver him into our staff.
“After all, there are dangers, however they don’t seem to be a lot in his expertise as a driver. He can be uncovered to the media and the talents of George Russell, the most effective drivers on the grid. However Kimi has monumental potential,” stated Wolff.
“His pace and expertise are already at a sure stage, he simply lacks the expertise.”
So with Russell already signed, Wolff is now seeing the upside of Hamilton’s shock resolution early this yr to change to pink overalls for 2025 and past.
“I’ve all the time seen the departure of a driver as a brand new alternative for the staff,” the Mercedes boss insists. “Change is sweet – it’s a must to embrace it.
“When Lewis advised me the information, I initially thought ‘Why now and never midway by means of the season?’ However he thought it was essential not just for him, but additionally for the staff.
“We don’t should rush,” Wolff concluded. “We need to wait to make the fitting resolution.”
