Mercedes face an exciting 2025 season as they welcome young protegee Kimi Antonelli to their ranks alongside George Russell.
The Silver Arrows improved towards the end of 2024 and although they finished fourth in the constructors’ standings’, a late victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix from Russell gives them hope of competing early this season.
Antonelli has been slated to be Formula 1’s next biggest thing, but he will have a steep learning curve at the age of 18 as he heads straight into a podium-contending team.
The only driver to have done that before is Lewis Hamilton, and just look at how he went on to fare in the sport, winning seven titles – six of which with Mercedes.
Juan Pablo Montoya heard worrying ‘rumours’ about Antonelli’s Mercedes testing and believes that the young Italian may have crashed a few times.
Having the right approach is key to success and Toto Wolff may need to address Anontelli’s attack comments ahead of his debut at the Australian Grand Prix next month. Doing too much damage could cost his team crucial development.
Bradley Lord says ‘special’ bond between Mercedes colleagues helped bring F1 championships
Although they have suffered a dip in performance recently, it hasn’t been long since Mercedes claimed seven consecutive championship doubles.
Their run was ended by Red Bull in 2021, but Mercedes factory ‘noise’ suggests they will dominate from 2026 if their engine delivers to the standard expected.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli goes against Toto Wolff as Mercedes rookie discusses ‘fear’ ahead of F1 debut
Speaking to Planet F1, Mercedes chief Bradley Lord described one of the main reasons behind their historic winning run in the 2010s.
“There’s a real bond of loyalty and of having each other’s backs in a way that we will go through fire for our teammates to achieve the objective,” he said.
“That’s been the most special thing – the winning and everything else are lovely experiences, but sharing that road with people that you can work with, completely openly, trust completely.
“And being in an environment where those people are also not afraid to hold you to account and also sit you down and tell you when you’re not doing a good enough job.”
Mercedes may have missed chance to sign Max Verstappen after Kimi Antonelli deal
The Formula 1 silly season was a host to a whole manner of crazy rumours, kickstarted by Hamilton’s headline move from Mercedes to Ferrari.
At one point, with chaos at Red Bull over matters with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey, Verstappen was tipped for discussions with Mercedes.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli has one ‘immediately obvious’ trait that his Mercedes engineers already love
Ultimately, the team went in another direction and the reigning world champion opted to remain with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Mercedes may have missed the chance to get Verstappen after signing Antonelli, especially if the 18-year-old can fulfil his potential.
As has been seen before, having two alpha drivers could be a recipe for disaster. Ferrari will offer a rare insight into such a situation when Hamilton pairs Charles Leclerc this year.
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