Kimi Antonelli ‘knows’ Mercedes rookie must improve after seeing what George Russell did during F1 testing

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the best-placed rookie on the 2025 Formula 1 grid to enjoy success in his first season after replacing Ferrari racer Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

The Silver Arrows have put their trust in a product of their driver academy with Antonelli set to become the third-youngest driver to start a Formula 1 race yet. Only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll will have taken a start in F1 at a younger age than Antonelli will be on March 16.

Antonelli will take the five red lights for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix at 18 years old in the Mercedes that seven-time world champion Hamilton ditched to join Ferrari. The Italian joins George Russell in the Silver Arrows’ garage, with both drivers also out of contract after 2025.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli accepts he must improve after watching George Russell at F1 testing

Mercedes gave Antonelli a £1.5m, one-year contract to replace Hamilton in his rookie term. The Bologna boy must prove his place in the pinnacle of motorsport to remain at the Silver Arrows after 2025, with Mercedes keen to fight for the constructors’ title again this season.

Team principal Toto Wolff will not let Antonelli’s age change perceptions of his results as an F1 driver after impressing Mercedes with his attitude, both in the car and team debriefs. He has quickly seemed at home driving the W16 during F1 testing in Bahrain this week, as well.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

But while Antonelli has shown confidence in Mercedes’ F1 car, the teenager accepts he still has room to improve after seeing what Russell could deliver in the W16 during F1 testing. It has largely been smooth sailing for the Silver Arrows at the home of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Antonelli told Sky Sports Italia: “We started well, doing a lot of long runs even if I had to get used to the compound of the tyres which is different to the race one.

“We are trying to understand the car well. Yesterday we started the day with a good set-up, even if then some tests done did not respond at their best. In terms of driving, even seeing Russell I know where to improve. But I have to say that with the W16, it felt good.

“I did not expect to be fast straight away but the feeling was good and the long run was very consistent. Then in Melbourne, in qualifying, we will see the real performance of everyone.”

Toto Wolff will want to see how Andrea Kimi Antonelli copes with pressure in Australia

Antonelli being a rookie will naturally leave the Mercedes gem with scope to improve during the 2025 Formula 1 season. McLaren CEO Zak Brown expects Antonelli will stomach ‘rookie weekends’, as well, as the Italian gets up to speed with racing in the pinnacle of motorsport.

His natural adaptation to F1 has even seen Otmar Szafnauer suggest Antonelli should mimic Esteban Ocon and listen to the feedback he receives and make the proposed adjustments. It will no doubt thrill Wolff that Antonelli himself sees scope to improve after watching Russell.

Wolff will hope to see Antonelli put those improvements into practice for the Australian GP. The Melbourne race will mark the first real test the Italian has faced and Karun Chandhok is keen to see how Antonelli deals with the pressure in Australia when he goes into qualifying.