Mercedes may have lined up ‘safest’ driver as back-up plan if ‘shaky’ Kimi Antonelli struggles in 2025

Mercedes will welcome teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli to the team in 2025. The Italian is arguably the most exciting rookie to the Formula 1 grid next year.

Antonelli has big shoes to fill at Mercedes as he comes in as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement. The seven-time world champion will head to Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year deal.

There is a lot of anticipation surrounding the arrival of Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes. Antonelli has enjoyed an incredible junior career, winning multiple titles and progressing rapidly through the ranks.

The Italian has embarked on just one season in Formula 2 this year before making the jump to F1. For an 18-year-old, this is an incredible step forward, and it may already be proving too much for Antonelli.

Having had numerous tests in old Mercedes machinery, Antonelli crashed 10 minutes into his first outing in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix. The 18-year-old got another FP1 appearance in Mexico City, before taking part in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

While there is a lot of excitement surrounding Antonelli’s move to Mercedes, he significantly lacks experience in F1, and the Silver Arrows may have the ‘safest’ driver lined up for 2025 if the Italian does struggle in his debut year.

Mercedes may have Valtteri Bottas lined up as reserve driver behind Kimi Antonelli in 2025

Following the departure of Mick Schumacher, Mercedes need a new reserve driver, with outgoing Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas currently in talks with Mercedes over a move to the team in 2025.

The Finn won 10 races with the team between 2017 and 2021 as Hamilton’s teammate and would provide great experience for the Brackley-based outfit and would be a solid option if Antonelli cannot perform next year.

While he hopes the young Italian can perform in 2025, Christian Danner says it would be the ‘sensible solution’ for Mercedes to bring in Bottas as Antonelli is still ‘shaky’ – as to be expected from a rookie.

“So with him [Bottas] I definitely see the chance as third driver at Mercedes, because that’s what Mercedes has to do alongside Antonelli, who despite all the euphoria and speed he obviously has, [he] is still a shaky candidate,” he said via the Motorsport-Magazin YouTube channel.

“So whether he’ll really be able to do that in the finish or not we will see. I wish it for him it is possible, but the safest solution for Mercedes would be to fall back on Valtteri because they know him inside out and how fast he is, how good he is. That would probably be the most sensible solution.”

Will Kimi Antonelli lift up to the hype at Mercedes in 2025?

Out of all the rookies joining F1 in 2025, Antonelli certainly has the most pressure on him to perform given that he is joining a team that is expected to compete for regular podiums and wins, and even world championships.

Joining F1 at 18 brings enough pressure as it is, but joining F1 as the replacement for statistically the greatest driver of all time brings unbelievable pressure, and given his accident at Monza, it may be getting to Antonelli already.

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

Next season will be a learning year for the Italian to get to grips with Mercedes and F1 machinery. Hamilton has advised Antonelli to take his time in 2025 not pay attention to what people are saying about him.

But what people are saying about the 18-year-old is that he is expected to be competitive from the off. Helmut Marko sees Antonelli as a tough opponent for Red Bull next season.

Only time will tell if Antonelli can perform with the Silver Arrows in 2025, but if cannot, it would perhaps be wise to have Bottas within the team to offer guidance, or even replace him.