Toto Wolff on Kimi Antonelli for 2025: “He is my first option.”

Rumors about Kimi Antonelli’s arrival in Formula 1 alongside George Russell are intensifying, and the announcement could come soon. Here are the latest statements from Toto Wolff!

There is a name on everyone’s lips in the Formula 1 paddocks, a name that might answer the question “Who will replace Lewis Hamilton?“: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young driver from Bologna currently racing with Prema Racing in the junior F2 category, who seems to have all the credentials to take that spot at Mercedes alongside George Russell in 2025.

Now that Carlos Sainz’s next team has been made public, it seems that the pieces of the puzzle for the upcoming season are starting to fall into place. All eyes are now on the Brackley team and the announcement of their new signing, which could come during the Italian Grand Prix when Antonelli will have already turned 18.

At Autosportwereld, Toto Wolff discussed the future of his team, particularly the qualities the new Mercedes driver will need: “The criteria for our next driver are simple: we want the best driver available. At the moment, my first option is Kimi Antonelli. Of course, there are risks. It’s not so much about his driving skills, but Antonelli would be exposed to the media and to the abilities of George Russell, one of the best drivers on the grid. But Kimi has enormous potential. His speed and talent are already at a certain level; he just lacks experience..”

Toto Wolff’s Plan B could be Max Verstappen

The Austrian team principal has never shied away from his interest in having three-time world champion Max Verstappen on the team. However, he stated that this possibility is very unlikely, once again emphasizing that the best choice for the Silver Arrows seat is indeed the Italian:An alternative scenario is obviously Verstappen, but at the moment it seems unlikely. Other drivers would sign a one- or two-year contract, which is not sufficient for us. “So I’m happy to take the risk with Antonelli because it’s a calculated risk.”

“Looking at Piastri’s progress, it took him a year and a half to reach the level of his teammate Lando Norris and compete for victories. This is what we want to achieve with Kimi. In 2025, with the prospect of changes in 2026, we will still be in a transition phase. It’s therefore a good season to develop him within our team.“— Toto Wolff continued, also talking about the excellent work done by Oscar Piastri in a short time, who is already at the same level as his teammate.

“I continue to monitor the market. I’m not sure how things will evolve at Red Bull.— he concluded, keeping the doors to his team open.

Photo: Andrea Kimi Antonelli Official, Prema Team