The 2025 Formula 1 grid is going to have a much more youthful look after one of the most dramatic years seen in the driver’s market for some time.
At the beginning of 2024, all 10 teams stuck with their previous driver line-ups, a decision that Eddie Jordan criticised as scandalous for not promoting any rookies.
Whether or not the current team principals took notice of Jordan isn’t known, but Mercedes made a call that will please the former Jordan boss.
Lewis Hamilton quitting the Silver Arrows to join Ferrari set off a chain reaction of events that has led to Andrea Kimi Antonelli being promoted to Formula 1.
Four rookies will be on the 2025 grid alongside the relatively inexperienced Oliver Bearman and Red Bull’s new driver Liam Lawson.
The Italian is the youngest of those drivers, although Antonelli has already completed a comprehensive Mercedes testing program to get up to speed in the car.
How that translates into one-lap qualifying pace and his ability to race against some of motorsport’s best drivers is yet to be seen.
However, Antonelli has now shared what he believes is ‘really important’ going into 2025 alongside George Russell.
Kimi Antonelli explains ‘really important’ goal ahead of 2025 F1 debut
Antonelli was asked about his goals for 2025 and said to Sky Sports Italia F1: “It would not be bad to get some good results right away, but it will be difficult because I will be racing against the best drivers in the world.
“Also, all the teams will be very close because it will be the last year of this regulation.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
“I expect it will not be easy, but for now we have done a good job with Mercedes. With Bono, [Peter Bonnington, Lewis Hamilton’s old race engineer] I’m getting on very well, we agree that the only really important thing next year will be to have fun and not complicate things too much.
“I will have to learn time by time, without having too much information in my head to avoid messing things up.
“I am very happy, I think next year will be fun!”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has already sent a message to Kimi Antonelli
Toto Wolff will know he needs to be patient with Antonelli as he’s already shown that he’s willing to push the limits of the car from lap one of running.
The Italian’s crash after less than two laps on his FP1 debut during the Italian Grand Prix highlighted how eager he was to push the car to the limit, although Antonelli’s data compared to Hamilton at Monza showed that he was unlikely ever to make the corner.
Wolff has explained what he expects from Antonelli heading into 2025 as he sets certain parameters for any young driver who steps into his car.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
The 18-year-old is undoubtedly quick, although his Formula 2 campaign didn’t go as smoothly as he or Prema would have liked.
Antonelli impressed F1 bosses at Spa but wasn’t ever in the title race with fellow Formula 2 graduates Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar.
Mercedes will want Antonelli to quickly close up to Russell as the season goes on, but that may be easier said than done as the Brit will be hoping he can be part of the championship fight next year.
Leave feedback about this