Villeneuve Believes Wolff Has Chosen Antonelli as Mercedes’ Next Formula 1 Star

Formula 1 News, Mercedes AMG Team News

1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has weighed in on the speculation surrounding Mercedes’ next driver lineup, stating that Team Principal Toto Wolff has his heart set on promoting Formula 2 prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the Brackley-based Formula 1 team. Villeneuve believes that Wolff is determined to make Antonelli the face of the Mercedes outfit, leaving limited opportunities for other drivers to join the team.

Since Lewis Hamilton’s announcement to leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season, the paddock has been abuzz with rumors about who will partner George Russell in 2025. Max Verstappen, once a prime target for Wolff, is no longer in the running, and neither is the recently displaced Carlos Sainz.

“It’s [Kimi] Antonelli’s team, that’s the future,” Villeneuve declared in his characteristic candid manner. “He’s been prepped for it. Toto will not have it any other way. There’s ego in there.”

While Villeneuve’s comments about Wolff’s “ego” are purely speculative, it is clear that Antonelli has become the centerpiece of Mercedes’ plans.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made rapid progress through the junior ranks, skipping Formula 3 to compete in Formula 2 this year. Having been part of Mercedes’ young driver program since 2019, Wolff and his team are clearly convinced of Antonelli’s potential as a future Formula 1 champion.

Antonelli’s testing experience with Mercedes’ 2021 and ’22 cars has undoubtedly helped solidify his position within the team. There is even speculation that his debut could come before 2025, possibly with Williams, replacing American Logan Sargeant.

One obstacle initially stood in Antonelli’s path – his ineligibility for an FIA Superlicense due to his age. However, the FIA has recently relaxed its rules, allowing exceptional talents like Antonelli to receive a Superlicense at just 17 years old.

For Wolff, it’s clear that nurturing young drivers is a key aspect of Mercedes’ long-term strategy. As the Austrian explained to Sky Germany, “We just want to concentrate on Kimi, that is our future, young drivers… We want to commit to that, to young drivers, and that is what we’ve told Carlos [Sainz].”

Villeneuve’s claims have certainly fueled the speculation surrounding Antonelli’s potential move to Mercedes, further cementing the young Italian’s reputation as a rising star in the Formula 1 world.

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