Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his Formula 1 debut at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix as Mercedes move on from seven-time drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton next season.
The Silver Arrows will run a driver line-up entirely of products from their academy next term after deciding to promote from within to replace Hamilton. A shock seat with one of the top teams became available back in February when the Briton announced he was joining Ferrari.
Antonelli quickly emerged as Hamilton’s likely replacement with Mercedes huge believers in his potential. But team principal Toto Wolff waited until August to confirm the 18-year-old’s promotion, giving the Italian time to show he deserved the seat while a rookie in Formula 2.
Toto Wolff does not expect fireworks from Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s F1 debut in Australia
There is a level of synergy between Antonelli and Hamilton’s routes to the F1 grid, with both debuting for a front-running team at an Australian Grand Prix. Melbourne saw the beginning of one of the greatest F1 careers to date in 2007, and will see another star emerge next year.
But while Wolff believes Antonelli is the new Max Verstappen, the Silver Arrows chief is not expecting any fireworks from the Bologna boy’s debut. Wolff accepts that Antonelli is still a ‘raw’ talent and will need time to adapt to racing in the pinnacle of motorsport next season.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
The experience George Russell will bring to Mercedes next year should help Antonelli adapt to Formula 1. But the latter would surprise Wolff if Antonelli achieves pole position or fights for the race win at the 2025 Australian GP with his highlight to come further down the road.
“It’s a super combination,” Wolff told OE24. “The experienced George and the young Kimi, who has a lot of raw speed but still has a lot to learn. Kimi won’t be on pole and winning in Melbourne straight away.
“He will develop over the year and make mistakes – that’s just part of it. But he will also deliver very good performances.”
Mercedes’ strong end to 2024 will encourage Andrea Kimi Antonelli
While Wolff does not expect Antonelli to rival for the win or pole position in Melbourne next year, the Italian will want to make an early impression – just like Hamilton did for McLaren in 2007. The Briton left a calling card on F1 from the get-go with a podium finish in third place.
How Mercedes have ended the 2024 season may encourage Antonelli to secure a big result on debut, as well. Russell fought with Lando Norris at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix over the lead from the front row of the grid. Mercedes also saw Russell dominate to win the Las Vegas GP.
Hamilton also came home second in Sin City, despite another disappointing qualifying with a mistake-riddled Q3 left him down in P10. So, while Wolff might not expect Antonelli to be a contender for pole position in Melbourne, a strong winter by Mercedes can bring a big start.
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