Formula 1 rookies Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson have had very different starts to the 2025 season.
The latter has already lost his seat after just two races. Lawson will return to Racing Bulls from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, with Yuki Tsunoda replacing him at Red Bull.
It marks an ‘incredible’ U-turn from the winter, when the Milton Keynes-based outfit had considered Lawson to have a higher ceiling. Red Bull also believed the New Zealander would be more equipped to face Max Verstappen despite Tsunoda’s experience, with four seasons under his belt.
Lawson has suffered a horrendous start to 2025, failing to score a point in Melbourne and Shanghai. The 23-year-old crashed on his debut for Red Bull and qualified last for the Sprint and the main race in China.
The decision has now been made to drop him ahead of Suzuka and put him back in a less-pressured environment at Racing Bulls. Lawson could even have been dropped after Melbourne but Christian Horner argued to give him another chance in Shanghai – which was even worse.
Being azed after two races – the shortest stint at Red Bull from any driver – is incredibly harsh. It is a sharp contrast to what is going on at Mercedes with Antonelli.
READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know
Kimi Antonelli says Toto Wolff will always be there to support him – a sharp contrast to Liam Lawson at Red Bull
The 18-year-old Italian came to F1 with significant hype, given his highly successful junior career. There is also huge pressure on his shoulders as he replaces Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.
Thus far, Antonelli has oozed confidence and started the year strong. He finished an impressive fourth after starting down in P16 on debut in Melbourne. The Mercedes driver carried the momentum in Shanghai to score points in both races, controversially being handed Driver of the Day on Sunday.
A big part of the Italian’s success will no doubt be down to the support network around him at Mercedes. The team rate Antonelli highly and are looking to guide him through his rookie season closely.
Speaking on The Fast and the Curious Podcast, the 18-year-old shared that Toto Wolff is showing ‘incredible’ support to him and will ‘always be there.’ It could not be any different at Red Bull, who have once again dropped an up-and-coming talent with inadequate time to prove himself.
“He’s really supporting me in an incredible way, also on track he’s really supportive but also outside [of the] track,” said Antonelli.
“Basically, what he wants is that I’m happy, not only in racing but also in my personal life.
“And he always tells me that if I need anything, even to chat about personal life, he will always be there, so it’s very nice from him.
“Because no matter what he’s going to be there supporting me.”
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
Kimi Antonelli’s confidence is sky-high – but he still has work to do in 2025
The Italian’s impressive start to 2025 has encouraged his team about the future. ‘Everyone’ at Mercedes is excited to work with Antonelli after his first two races.
However, the 18-year-old is far from the finished product. Antonelli has already proven to be an aggressive driver and it has cost him more points.
In Melbourne, he dipped a wheel on the grass at turn four and almost spun into the wall – Valtteri Bottas said Antonelli was ‘lucky’ not to take himself out.
The Italian also suffered floor damage in qualifying, which was the reason he lined up 16th for the race. He did it again in Shanghai after running over Charles Leclerc’s damaged wing at the start.
Antonelli must avoid further damage to his floor if he wants to be fighting at the front – something that he has the clear potential to do. Mercedes will teach and support the Italian through the process as he looks to compete for the top three in 2025.
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