Aug.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff is now not hiding that his teenage protege, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, can be George Russell’s teammate at Mercedes subsequent yr.
It emerged over the summer season break that the Mercedes crew boss had lastly given up on the prospect of luring Max Verstappen away from Crimson Bull – a minimum of for 2025.
“That actually doesn’t shut the door for a future switch,” Wolff advised Kronen Zeitung newspaper at Zandvoort.
“All yr lengthy I believed there was a window or a chance. It wasn’t zero,” he added. “Perhaps it was 10 to 1, or 9 to 1. Nonetheless, I didn’t need to quit, however then over the summer season we got here to the settlement that we shouldn’t anticipate one thing to occur earlier than we decide to 2025.”
That is superb information for F2 rookie Antonelli, who will flip 18 on Sunday and may due to this fact safe his necessary F1 tremendous license – and maybe even make his official F1 weekend debut in Friday follow at Monza subsequent week.
“I hope every little thing goes effectively with George and Kimi subsequent yr,” Wolff declared.
“We are going to quickly formally affirm who will occupy the second seat, as George’s teammate,” he revealed. “Each drivers could have our full help, 100%. That’s why I don’t need to discuss concerning the driver lineup for 2026 simply but.”
Wolff stated he thinks the continuing unrest at Crimson Bull, and a decline in efficiency, might compel Verstappen to go for a swap to Mercedes for 2026.
“Earlier than the summer season, we nonetheless didn’t have a driver for subsequent yr,” added the Austrian. “And again then, Max was the plain candidate and even the very best candidate.
“Now, now we have two drivers and the entire crew is totally behind them.”
Crimson Bull crew boss Christian Horner stated at Zandvoort that he hopes Wolff now stops his fixed pursuit of triple world champion Verstappen.
“He’s completely not obtainable to Mercedes, and he by no means was,” he stated.
“I’m certain no matter they select, they’ve thought it by way of. If they provide Antonelli the seat, you’ve acquired to commend them for taking that danger with a younger expertise.”
