Former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes that Italian racing sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli has the talent to become a star in the premier class, but notes that his preparation for the 2024 Formula 2 season “is anything but ideal” ahead of his highly-anticipated Formula 1 debut with Mercedes in 2025.
Antonelli’s Rapid Ascent and Mercedes Deal
Antonelli made headlines on Saturday when he was announced as a Mercedes driver for the 2025 season, partnering George Russell at the Brackley-based outfit. The news came just a day after he made his Formula 1 debut in FP1 for the team at Monza, where he crashed at Parabolica after pushing too hard on his second flying lap.
The young Italian’s rapid ascent through the junior ranks has been nothing short of impressive, winning both the Italian and ADAC F4 championships in recent years, followed by the Formula Regional European Championship title last year. Mercedes has been grooming Antonelli for Formula 1 with a series of tests in the 2022 Mercedes W13 under the testing of previous cars (TPC) regulations, while he simultaneously competes with Prema in F2.
Rosberg’s Assessment of Antonelli’s Preparation
However, Prema has struggled to match its usual form with the introduction of the new Dallara chassis this season, leaving Antonelli seventh in the championship – a situation Rosberg believes is “less than ideal preparation” for his Formula 1 debut next year.
Speaking to Sky Germany, Rosberg shared his thoughts on Antonelli’s promotion to Mercedes, saying, “Yes, it’s the right move, but of course, it’s also very, very brave. Kimi was in my go-kart team [Rosberg Racing Academy] a few years ago. So I know him very, very well. And he certainly has the talent to become the best of the next generation.“
Rosberg, a former Mercedes driver himself, acknowledged that Antonelli’s preparation for Formula 1 has not been ideal, citing his struggles for pace in F2 this season. “But of course, his preparation is anything but ideal. In Formula 2, I don’t think he has a good car this year and hasn’t been able to show what he’s capable of. He did beat his teammate Oliver Bearman, who is also going into Formula 1.“
Rosberg’s Sympathy for Antonelli’s Monza Crash
Rosberg also sympathized with the pressure Antonelli faced during his first FP1 session, particularly given the added pressure of it being his home race at Monza. He attributed the crash to being “over the top” and a factor of his age, but praised his pace from the start. “Mentally, it’s so tough. Yesterday alone, the first official laps in Formula 1, as an eighteen-year-old, in Italy, as an Italian. The whole world is watching him and then the second lap… And then put away [in the wall] like that.
“Until then, he was fast. Lewis Hamilton was on the track at the same time, which was okay. But that’s obviously super unfavorable. Totally over the top, totally over-motivated and that’s just because he’s 18 and he’s just starting.“
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