Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently spoke about the team’s 2025 driver lineup after consecutive wins at Austria and Silverstone, clarifying that these victories do not influence his driver selection process for next year.
However, he did mention his admiration for F2 driver Kimi Antonelli.
Carlos Sainz and Antonelli reportedly stand out as Mercedes’ leading candidates to potentially fill Lewis Hamilton’s seat next year.
While Sainz remains open to discussions, taking time to weigh his options, Antonelli appears poised as Mercedes’ future prospect.
The Italian F2 driver currently holds the eighth position in the Drivers’ Championship, showcasing considerable talent.
However, pairing him with George Russell, who is in his second season with the team, could pose a gamble.
Despite the ongoing driver market momentum and the array of potential options Mercedes has for 2025, Wolff emphasized that recent victories will not sway the team’s decision-making process when selecting a driver for the upcoming season.
He told PlanetF1.com:”It doesn’t influence our thinking.
“Antonelli showcased his prowess at Silverstone by winning the F2 Sprint race in challenging conditions, where six rival cars failed to finish.
Wolff believes this achievement underscores Antonelli’s potential, stating that it ‘took a lot of weight off his shoulders’.
