Six Formula 1 drivers are undergoing their first full-time seasons in the sport in 2025 and some are under varying levels of pressure.
The youngest of them all is Kimi Antonelli, who became the sport’s second youngest points scorer in history at the Australian Grand Prix.
Mercedes took a gamble in promoting an 18-year-old to a Formula 1 seat, and it looked like it may not have been the right move when he was eliminated in Q1 during the season-opener.
However, he scythed through the field on Sunday and made his way up to fourth. Colleague Valtteri Bottas called Antonelli ‘lucky’ in Melbourne after a spin nearly put him in the barriers.
After his debut race, Antonelli was told he will never be another Max Verstappen but that’s probably a good thing. He will be aiming to be both better, and a version of himself rather than a rival.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli complained about 228-race F1 rival during unheard Mercedes radio message
Martin Brundle backs Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes success in 2025
Martin Brundle feared Mercedes became a ‘one horse team’ when signing Antonelli, and that their success would depend on the results of George Russell.
It doesn’t seem like that will be the case though, leading to Brundle making a U-turn on his comments at just the second event of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix.
“Piastri and Norris are going to take points off each other. Hamilton and Leclerc, same deal. I think even Russell and Antonelli now as well. Max has got a clear run,” he said on Sky Sports F1.
By backing Antonelli to beat Russell, who beat Lewis Hamilton convincingly last year, it shows that there is a lot more belief in the Italian’s skillset now.
He has taken an abundance of confidence into the car and has been really impressive so far. His team trail McLaren by one point in the constructors’ championship and they need him to keep performing.
READ MORE: Martin Brundle used just two words to describe Kimi Antonelli’s F1 debut, Mercedes will love his verdict
Helmut Marko thinks Mercedes suffer from a ‘significant’ tyre issue
Despite three days of pre-season testing and one wet race at a street circuit, there hasn’t been any real representative dry running for all 10 teams in the same conditions.
That will change at the Chinese Grand Prix, with warm and dry conditions expected for the race in Shanghai.
Helmut Marko identified a ‘significant’ Mercedes issue and believed that they had worse tyre wear than any of their rivals at the first race of the season.
They appeared to be slightly stronger in the single-practice session held on Friday in China, but warmer conditions have been a historical enemy of the German manufacturer.
It will be a real test for their winter developments and also indicate whether they will be able to challenge for victory in warmer climates this year.
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