Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, is evaluating several options for the future, including the young Italian talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, together with Max Verstappen, current world champion with Red Bull.
With Lewis Hamilton's departure expected in 2025, when he will join Ferrari, the team is exploring several options to maintain its competitiveness. Among the most discussed names for the team's future are Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a promising young Italian, and Max Verstappen, current world champion with Red Bull, for 2026.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a young driver from Bologna, is considered one of the most promising talents in the panorama of the minor motorsport categories. Often compared to Max Verstappen for his speed and driving ability, Antonelli is enjoying his first season in Formula 2 with the Prema team. This direct jump from Formula 4 to Formula 2, avoiding Formula 3, demonstrates the confidence Mercedes has in its abilities. The question is therefore not whether Antonelli will arrive in Formula 1 but rather "when" this will happen debut.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli as early as 2025, Wolff provokes the fans
Despite his very young age, in recent months Antonelli has had the opportunity to test several Mercedes Formula 1 cars. His performances have impressed the team's technicians, with James Allison praising the young driver for his "metronome rhythm". and his ability to quickly adapt to Formula 1 single-seaters. Antonelli's name is one of the hottest on the driver market and the reason is above all linked to the fact that in recent years the number of drivers moving from F2 to F1 has drastically decreased. Hamilton's departure put the team in serious difficulty. There isn't much time to find a replacement for Lewis' seat, and the plan to let Kimi Antonelli develop with all due calm now seems to have fallen through.
However, if previously Toto Wolff had categorically denied Kimi Antonelli's move to Mercedes from 2025, with the fear that it is too early for the Italian, now Wolff himself seems to have changed his mind.
Recognizing the talent of the young driver, during the weekend in Imola Wolff, seeing the enthusiasm of the Italian support for Lewis Hamilton, stated: “For the Italians, having Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari next year will be truly exciting. But we have to look at ourselves and perhaps there is an option to shine even more with an Italian at the wheel”.
This statement from Wolff is a clear signal of Mercedes' interest in promoting Antonelli to a starting role in 2025. However, Wolff is also aware of the need not to rush the young talent's development process too much. Antonelli will continue his commitment to Formula 2, alongside further Formula 1 testing, to ensure he is fully prepared for the big leap.
The 2026 horizon: Verstappen's Vision
In addition to planning the near future with Antonelli, Mercedes is already looking to 2026 with great ambitions. A possible candidate to lead the team in this new era is Max Verstappen. Although the Dutch driver is currently tied to Red Bull until 2028, recent developments point to a rapprochement between Verstappen and Toto Wolff's management.
Red Bull, currently the team to beat, makes an immediate transfer of Verstappen unlikely. However, Wolff sees the new 2026 regulatory cycle as an opportunity to offer Verstappen a competitive package. “I can't wait for 2026 to discover the performance levels of the different power units,” said Wolff, suggesting that the Mercedes power unit could be a decisive factor in attracting Verstappen.
However, a possible arrival of Verstappen could put George Russell, whose contract expires in 2025, at risk.
The road is still long and full of challenges, but with careful planning and thoughtful decisions, Mercedes aims to write new successful chapters in its history.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
