Mar.22 (GMM) Regardless of the whole and highly-criticised absence of a single full-time rookie on the 2024 grid, Method 1 might have two model new drivers up and racing subsequent 12 months.
One may be Kimi Antonelli, who many imagine is his mentor Toto Wolff’s second selection after Max Verstappen to interchange Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes subsequent 12 months.
When requested in Melbourne, Wolff mentioned it’s virtually sure that the younger Italian will finally be in F1, including: “However I don’t know whether or not it is going to be subsequent 12 months after which if it is going to be with us.”
Certainly, robust rumours recommend plans are already being made for Antonelli to interchange the struggling Logan Sargeant at Mercedes-powered Williams subsequent 12 months – the workforce now run by Wolff’s former right-hand-man James Vowles.
“We have now to see how a lot he (Sargeant) progresses because the season goes on,” Vowles mentioned.
As for Antonelli and the early Williams rumours, he added: “I imagine in investing in youth, however we’re lucky sufficient to have juniors of our personal.
“I’ve little doubt that Kimi can be in F1, however that doesn’t imply he’ll be at Williams, essentially.”
As for the opposite potential 2025 rookie, that may very well be the 18-year-old Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman – who is definitely Antonelli’s teammate on the prime Method 2 outfit Prema this 12 months.
The Briton impressed on the wheel of a Ferrari when he stood in on the final minute for the ailing Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia – and now he’s being strongly linked with a Ferrari-powered Haas seat for subsequent season.
Haas’ present drivers are the extremely skilled Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. When requested concerning the Bearman rumours in Melbourne, Magnussen mentioned: “You already know, I feel we have now an excellent dynamic within the workforce. We’re working rather well collectively.
“I feel the journey we’re on as a workforce means it’s useful having skilled drivers, but it surely’s clearly out of my management.”
Hulkenberg, in the meantime, commented: “I feel it’s too early to say that he (Bearman) is a candidate. I feel for him, to begin with, he must concentrate on his efficiency in Method 2.
“If he’s not good there, his race in Jeddah can be forgotten in a few days. You know the way it really works in our sport,” the 36-year-old German added.
As for Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur, he echoed Hulkenberg’s perspective, insisting it’s “far too early” to foretell a sure F1 profession for Bearman.
“Now he needs to be centered on F2 and I’m certain that each one the journalists, the press and so forth will draw a conclusion after the top of the championship. He did very properly in Jeddah however we have now to take it step-by-step.”
