The arrival of Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes is one of the most anticipated storylines of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Having been chosen as the replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will make the switch to Ferrari in the 2025 season, Antonelli will have a big task ahead of him.
Mercedes has reportedly lined up a backup driver if Antonelli struggles in 2025, although the Italian’s track record in junior formulas suggests that he will be ready for his F1 debut.
Discussing Anthonelli’s preparation before his debut season on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor believes the 18-year-old might be on the back foot.
Peter Windsor says Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start on the back foot after missing tests
Antonelli has already had outings in Monza and Mexico in the W15 and although he did the Abu Dhabi post-season test, he missed one planned in Super Formula with Oliver Bearman due to illness.
He also missed the season finale weekend of the Formula 2 championship in Abu Dhabi due to the same illness, which Windsor thinks will impact his pre-season preparations.
“He’s starting off on the back foot. Going off the way he did at Monza is not great. Formula 2 has not been brilliant and certainly Oliver Bearman has been quicker in the second half of the season,” said Windsor.
“Then he was ill. I’m not saying I’m not sympathetic, but there is one thing you do as a racing driver before you get in the garage and that’s stay as fit as you can. So it’s weird that he got so ill.”
Lewis Hamilton sends message to Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli has a considerable amount of hype around him, given the Italian was billed as the next Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff believes his promotion makes up for missing out on Verstappen earlier in his career, while Antonelli also had an ‘impeccable’ attitude during the post-season test with Mercedes.
Ahead of his debut, Hamilton sent a message of support to Antonelli after being asked about how drivers deal with any negativity and criticism.
Antonelli will likely encounter his fair share of critics in the early stages of his F1 career as he finds his feet, although there is no doubt that he could be one of the stars of the future.
Leave feedback about this