Antonelli Mercedes p... to heal..

Antonelli Mercedes p… to heal ‘wounded’ Toto Wolff. Full Story 👇

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is reportedly keen to fast-track young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli into Formula 1, a move reminiscent of what he missed out on with Max Verstappen in 2014. Alex Jacques, a prominent F1 commentator, suggests that Wolff’s eagerness to promote Antonelli is driven by the desire to avoid a repeat of the missed opportunity that saw Verstappen join Red Bull instead of Mercedes.

Back in 2014, Wolff attempted to sign a young Verstappen before he joined Red Bull, but the Dutchman chose the Milton Keynes-based team instead. This decision has proven costly for Mercedes, as Verstappen has since become one of the most dominant drivers on the grid, securing numerous wins and world championships. Wolff is said to feel the sting of this missed opportunity every time Verstappen claims victory.

Now, with Antonelli being hailed as the most promising talent since Verstappen, Wolff is determined not to let history repeat itself. The Italian driver is a product of Mercedes’ junior program and has shown immense potential. According to Jacques, Wolff views Antonelli not just as a future star but as a way to “avenge” the earlier loss to Red Bull. The memory of being outmaneuvered by Red Bull in the race to sign Verstappen is reportedly a driving force behind Wolff’s determination to secure Antonelli’s place in the team.

Antonelli, who is currently competing in Formula 2 with the PREMA team, has already begun testing Mercedes’ older F1 machinery. The young driver has been put through an extensive testing program, which includes running in Mercedes’ 2021 and 2022 cars. This rigorous preparation is part of Wolff’s plan to ready Antonelli for an F1 debut, possibly as early as next season. If promoted, Antonelli would likely take over from Lewis Hamilton, joining the F1 grid at just 18 years old—the same age Verstappen was when he won his first race for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Wolff’s urgency to promote Antonelli stems not only from the desire to avoid another missed opportunity but also from a strategic standpoint. Mercedes is aware of the risk that other teams could swoop in if they delay Antonelli’s promotion. Jacques points out that other promising drivers, like Lando Norris, have received offers from rival teams despite being part of a solid development program. Norris, for instance, was consistently approached by Red Bull while under contract with McLaren.

Similarly, Oscar Piastri’s management expressed concerns over Alpine’s plans for the Australian driver, which led to a move to McLaren. These examples highlight the competitive nature of F1, where top talents are constantly sought after by rival teams.

Wolff’s commitment to Antonelli’s promotion is intended to eliminate any chance of other teams poaching the young talent. By ensuring Antonelli is fully prepared for F1, Mercedes aims to secure its next star driver and avoid the kind of painful reminder that Verstappen’s success has become for Wolff.