Is 'guilty' Mercedes making a mistake with its next F1 star?

Has Mercedes gone overboard with how much it's hyping up Kimi Antonelli as its potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton?
When you potentially have the next Max Verstappen on your hands, it's hard for an F1 team like Mercedes to stop its excitement from getting out of control - particularly when its current on-track prospects are a far cry from its title-winning glory years.
But while Mercedes has long stressed that it doesn't want to pile too much pressure on its protege, team boss Toto Wolff admits there's been some guilt about talking about Antonelli - who remains Mercedes' 'plan A' option for 2025 - too much.
00:00 Mercedes' Antonelli admission
03:50 What the F2 results say
05:52 Antonelli's test programme
08:49 Too big a risk?
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[@unklesuga1644]

Mercedes made a mistake hyping up their car for the past few years and now putting a young rising star in that car is a major gamble.

[@Am-jji1ev]

George is experienced enough to carry the team and is showing it was a mistake to keep a young talent on the sideline to protect Hamilton. Meanwhile Ferrari, McLaren and Redbull capitalised on their young talents.

[@urbanstrencan]

They are putting too much pressure on Antonelli

[@Karincl7]

Mercedes or the media and the fans ?

[@Heyn_17]

​@@Karincl7 Everyone

[@skunkyboy69]

If he is world champion material he will overcome it. These bastards are paid the big bucks for a reason. It's not meant to be easy. Pressure is part of the game.

[@digitalinsanex4949]

​@@Heyn_17 welcome to F1 it's sink or swim here as it's always been like that 👍

[@craig3895]

He's going to be driving a lethal weapon against grown men who want to take his lunch money. And by all acounts is doing a pretty damn good job at it so far. But yeah, a couple media reports are gonna break him.

[@tamiyafrog]

Putting a rookie in an inconsistent, unpredictable car is bad for both of them. The car makes the driver look bad and the driver has no point of reference to help the engineers. If the car was sorted this would be a different conversation.

[@ericschaack1028]

true, but allegedly the W15 is a stable platform now.

[@mjv97]

This is the biggest issue. Merc has shown little ability to build a winning chassis. If the car was slow due to the powertrain, that is less of an issue for the driver to sort out. But an inconsistent chassis and a driver without a baseline could be tough.

[@X379]

I agree - oh wait we aren't talking about Sargeant, are we?

[@akifhossain5122]

Mercedes? And overhype?! Perish the thought!

[@MentalParadox]

It's just ridiculous these days. Completely unproven kids being hyped up as the second coming of Christ, again and again. De Vries (not letting you forget about that one), Bearman, and now Antonelli. Bearman's race was okay/mid and yet people act like he won the race. Meanwhile De Vries also impressed just the year before that, and look what happened. And why this obsession with Antonelli? He's not anywhere near the lead of the F2 championship

[@squeakybunny2776]

this

[@SilverScarletSpider]

everyone hyped up mick schumacher too and he was pathetic

[@haribo836]

If you've seen what Kimi won in his time before F2 and how he won everything, he definitely is something special. Don't rate him as high as I did Verstappen before his F1 debut, but it's a similar impressive junior career. He should stay in F2 for another year though, we all saw how rough a diamond Verstappen was in his first year, Kimi will be rougher and risk his career if he goes too early. I totally agree though on your point of hyping up young drivers just because they managed to finish 7th in a Ferrari at debut and then to compare it with de Vries who finished 8th in a Williams.

[@aimanazrie8944]

​@@SilverScarletSpider well to be fair he's with haas, with completely different cars for each seasons. Pretty much no room for improvement especially when paired with someone who barely got his superlicense to race in f1. I wouldn't put too much blame on him considering his good pace in WEC.

[@selder_7]

I’m just annoyed at Prema dropping the ball and ruining what could’ve been a landmark F2 season if Antonelli and Bearman were in a title fight in a rivalry that’d carry into F1

[@fqeagles21]

There’s still time,hopefully

[@VVF-05]

I don’t get why people blame prema so much, yeah they have made mistakes but in the end it’s a spec series, the results are also very driver dependent, kimi has been taking some time to adapt but bearman? He got too distracted with his f1 debut so much that he is not bringing strong results in f2 no more and I don’t think it’s because of prema’s fault

[@kenchen704]

@@VVF-05bruh in the previous F2 era if you weren’t in a driver academy backed team like PREMA or ART, you might as well forget about fighting for championship

[@VVF-05]

@@kenchen704 yes but it also depended on the drivers, I don’t think they are as strong as previous years or the overall grid is more balanced ablilty wise

[@meikgeik]

@@VVF-05 it may be a spec series, but there is a LOT of customization available on the setup of the cars. Prema has admitted that they botched the setup of the cars multiple times this season while other teams were absolutely nailing it. It's just easier to blame the drivers though I guess?

[@GryphLane]

The way I see it the only people hyping up Antonelli are the likes of Autosport, Sky Sports and The Race...

[@meikgeik]

And Toto.

[@ajegelin]

Imagine that…

[@Mrcento]

To be fair, it's not the media that are fast tracking him to F2, sticking him in Mercedes F1 cars for tests with less than half a season of that done, trying to beg the FIA for a super license exemption or seemingly trying to get him a seat at Williams this year to assess and potentially take the seat vacated by a seven times world champion at a team that should realistically be looking at competing to win. There comes a point where the media 'hype' is just them reporting on what Mercedes are doing.

[@jarigustafsson7620]

Josh Revell...

[@sirgobbledygook]

Putting him in a merc will be exactly like albon at redbull... Too much, too soon. Even Max wasn't given a redbull right away. Kimi needs to go to Williams to not crumble under the pressure.

[@haribo836]

100% agree. For Kimi himself though, I still think that an extra year F2 is probably the best thing. He's got plenty of time and with a second year of F2, better options might be available than Williams or a struggling Mercedes.

[@Lianpe98]

He needs the time to actually be in the top 3 of the F2 championship.

[@adamb2619]

However Mercedes is well on their way to become a bottom team.

[@markozelnik2534]

He should at least do one season in F2 at least to have some more experience in wheel to wheel combat and have better spatial awareness than the window licker

[@chanahasnomana]

Max was the best example. In the beginning he was so reckless in his driving given he basically skipped gp2

[@S2GUnit]

Haha

[@Trashplayaer]

Windowlicker’s interview with Gary left me flabbergasted fr

[@1985slipstream]

@@chanahasnomana very true he made alot of "f2" era mistakes before learning that avoiding contact was a better strategy than just 50 50 ing it

[@craig3895]

He is.

[@giuseppemaggio5894]

My main concern is not Antonelli's lack of experience because Verstappen's case has proven that it can work in the long run. My main concern is the lack of patience by Mercedes. It looks like they are already giving up on Russell despite the fact that so far he has only driven cars that were not good enough to compete for the championship. I don't wanna see Antonelli debut in 2025 if Mercedes would sack him within 2-3 years if he wouldn't deliver

[@EchoMirage72]

Mercedes has shown that it won't just keep a driver for the short term the way other teams have done. They've had 5 drivers in their cars since they restarted F1 compared to other teams that have about double that in the same time.

[@butterxo3094]

Even Verstappen was put in Alpha for a year for experience. Supposedly Kimi is going to a top team like Mercedes.

[@michaelp4122]

They should put Albon in the Benz and Kimi in the Williams...

[@davestagner]

I haven’t noticed them giving up on George Russell. His position seems pretty solid to me. And it’s patently obvious to everyone that the Merc problem is the car, not the drivers. They have the best overall driver lineup in F1 imho. George is excellent, and Lewis is, well, Sir Lewis Hamilton.

[@chrisshepherd6307]

How are they giving up on George?

[@TheCasperna]

what about frederik vesti? he was testing in abu dhabi last year and he nearly won f2 in 2023.

[@Heisenberg_747]

Mercedes always hypes up everything. Remember how they hyped up the safety issue of ground level clearance when their car was porpoising.

[@TheMTBGrind]

The argument they made for Antonelli not doing great in F2 could be made for any driver in that series that doesn't do well. Antonelli isn't even Mercedes best junior driver, that accolade goes to Vesti who was absolutely cooking last year. The fact he has just been forgotten about is ridiculous.

[@joehynes2964]

Too much hype? Hype over what??! He's 17. He's been a mediocrity in F2 thus far. Putting him in an F1 car in the next year or two would be a giant mistake. With the cost cap in place, teams can't afford another "Crashstappen" period for young drivers.

[@pooyakhalili406]

"More like torro rosso" that one hurt 😭😭

[@RyanJSmith]

Not even a minute in and they admit they stirred the pot. Media has pushed Toto to talk on this. These guys are shit heels

[@Johnonayacht]

We heard that Ocon was going to be the second coming and now this kid.

[@alotl1kevegas860]

They're guilty of hyping up their dumpster fire of a car.

[@cafe88racer53]

mbz needs to focus on performance first lol

[@ericmcmanus5179]

If F2 isn't how you judge a driver, the what the hell is the point of it? Thats supposed to be the last step before F1. So if its not telling you how good a driver you would be in F1, doesn't that mean the whole series is missing the point?

[@craig3895]

What they said? The testing they see where they put him side by side with an actual F1 driver. Seems that's pretty useful info to me.

[@ericmcmanus5179]

@@craig3895 that's much more useful than F2 for sure apparently.

[@georgthesecond]

​@@craig3895 what if some other dude from F2 would be faster in the F1 tests, but he just doesn't get the chance? How do you compare them if not by F2 results?​

[@craig3895]

​@@georgthesecond that's a naive view based on a false equivalency. Comparing a 17 year old just arriving in F2 with no F3 experience to, for example, a 22 year old in his 3rd F2 season after 2 years in F3 on raw unadjusted pace is false and you know better.

[@stu8758]

They're setting him up to sink or swim, they're not giving him the time Russell got to develop naturally

[@MrSniperfox29]

Interestingly enough that wasn't Mercedes choice. Yes they loaned out Russell to Williams, but then spent the next two years trying to get him back as quickly as possible (this is why Bottas was always on a one year deal and was always announced after Williams would confirm Russell staying).

[@sirstabbyfork9675]

​​@@MrSniperfox29 George had to sign that Williams contract to stay, if Mercedes offered him a seat he would've snapped it up immediately.

[@MrSniperfox29]

@@sirstabbyfork9675 Actually no, he signed a two year deal with an option for a third and Williams held him to his contract much to the annoyance of Mercedes and is the reason why Williams haven't taken on any more Mercedes drivers since then

[@GamerFlair]

@@MrSniperfox29 Thats not true. Bottas got extended because Lewis and Merc were happy with him and didn't want to mess up something that was working. They could have taken Russell pretty much anytime they liked.

[@MrSniperfox29]

@@GamerFlair Nope it's perfectly true Which is why Bottas was always (and I do mean always) given a new contract right after Williams announced Russell as staying. Williams had an IRON CLAD contract which greatly upset Lord Tonto and why Williams haven't dealt with Mercedes since.

[@adityagupta7525]

It’s a gamble that will backfire

[@MrDanMeman]

It would be a disaster for Mercedes if they replace Hamilton with Antonelli for 2025.

[@malvinelpinnoy]

It would be a reckless decision if Toto really brings this kid on board. Russell is not even a mentor-level driver right now, despite the appeal of being the lead and getting a bigger pay which he obviously is excited for if Max doesn't move in.

[@Destins2]

Russel is definitely good enough to mentor, he’s not his engineer all he’s gonna do is teach antonelli how to comb over data and give feedback and a few tricks about the car. Antonelli has plenty of mentors anyways

[@jsong8584]

Antonelli need time to adapt F2 first, and that's pretty much all. Mercedes can find one year contract with other driver.

[@malvinelpinnoy]

Carlos is their best option right but he wants a multi-year deal, which they don't want to give out. That is why Carlos' coveting Checo's RB seat, best car and possibility or a multi-year contract.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Ocon would be perfect for one year!

[@madskristiansen5049]

I’m still baffled how Fred Vesti never gets mentioned in this discussion

[@eversor10]

Why is anyone talking about Max going to merc lmao

[@v4skunk739]

He's staying at RB for a while yet. As soon as he thinks RB are not going any where he'll leave to where ever he wants.

[@eversor10]

@@v4skunk739 why would he throw a decently sure wdc next year aswell lel

[@TheGribblerV2]

Red Bull drama and Merc having more money than God

[@v4skunk739]

@@eversor10 Can you even read?

[@chaseeason6789]

Because they know mercedes is washed and needs a real talent behind the wheel. Max will run out his current contract and then leave F1.

[@henkm4862]

If Antonelli is Mercedes's future then they can ruin him if they put him in 2025 in their own car. Merc ended 2023 in P2 in the WCC and look to be in a downwards spiral in P4. Merc need to start the 2026 regs in the strongest possible way and give Kimi time to grow at Williams imo.

[@yt_Ajay_]

They've absolutely gone too far with the hype. If he joins F1 and can't live up to expectations, which would be totally understandable especially considering his age, it'll 100% be Toto Wolff's fault.

[@craig3895]

It's youtube that has gone too far with the hype. They're just developing their asset and answering questions.

[@slicklace]

Poor George, this kid is basically over shadowing him and he’s not even in the car yet damn 💀!

[@ethanpratt330]

Putting him straight in this team is only going to end badly, especially with the pressure they are putting on him like its insane. Put him in a lower positioned team's car for example, for a couple years and see if he can handle that first then put him in Mercedes, otherwise he'll sink before he's even had a chance to start swimming.

[@MrSniperfox29]

What makes you think Williams would agree to that?

[@ethanpratt330]

@@MrSniperfox29 never said they would agree to that, but I'm speaking from someone on the outside looking inward. The consensus from most is that putting him instantly in that Mercedes will pile too much pressure on him, with a decent chance that he is unable to deliver on the hype that Mercedes is endlessly putting on him

[@deyeatdapoopoo7582]

​@@MrSniperfox29They already have Albon as the fast, experienced team leader and he is amazing at providing feedback and input on both the car and driving technique so he'd be perfect to guide Antonelli through his own development while not being in a high pressure environment.

[@MrSniperfox29]

@@ethanpratt330 Williams have made it clear they are not interested in being Mercedes farm team anymore after how badly Mercedes treated them over Russell. This is why The Mick never got a look in with them despite Toto hailing him as the next coming of the Michael until Kimi came along and Toto suddenly went silent.

[@soundscape26]

Well, Williams seems to be more interested in Bottas.

[@haribo836]

I've got the feeling this whole hype is more about Toto than Kimi. Toto missed out on Verstappen, saw what happened with Piastri. As his manager, he just can't allow somebody else to walk away with Kimi, his pride wouldn't allow that. Inadvertently though, by creating the hype, he puts an extra spotlight on Kimi, almost forcing himself to get Kimi in F1 next year, because somebody else might pick him up if he doesn't.

[@chrismcerlain1664]

They have gone overboard hyping their cars up for last 3 yrs. Maybe they should be concentrating on that issue first

[@craig3895]

You're right. They've completely ignored their car and are ONLY focused on Antonelli. Like their staff of thousands cannot possibly divide their attention. That would be madness. Great take.

[@jadhamizan]

TBH that's not the only thing Mercedes are 'guilty' of in recent years.

[@lukykaspar]

yes.

[@weRchecking]

Thankfully SMM starts talking with under two minutes into the video and unfailingly always gives me a good reason to exit

[@IanLoughead]

F2 is not the be all end all test for F1? Tell Indycar drivers that.

[@AndyHack10]

He currently sits 6th in the F2 standigs, why does no one consider the drivers who are actually winning races and championships in F2?!

[@Karozy4869]

1. Verstappen 2. Ever heard of the phrase "potential"? A 27 yrs old standing 6th will never make it to F1, but a 17 standing 6th in his first season, after skipping F3 altogether is a different story

[@pooyakhalili406]

Some of them are not rookies. In Antonelli's case, he won every championship he entered in his first year, skipped F3, and he is performing well in F2

[@MrSniperfox29]

Because he is the top Mercedes sponsored driver, hence why they only care about him Maloney - Red Bull Aron - Unaffiliated Hadjar - Red Bull Hauger - Red Bull Bortoleto - McLaren So with the best will in the world, the only driver available there would be Aron

[@soundscape26]

Because they can only perform as good as their car allows them to. Bearman isn't doing great either and he's almost guaranteed a Haas seat.

[@tychothefriendlymonolith]

money

[@tsheposeeletso6475]

Mercedes needs 2 experienced drivers to help fix their car development

[@v4skunk739]

Merc have wind tunnel problems.

[@chaseeason6789]

Yeah? They have that currently and it isn't working.

[@MariadisHeller]

They've had experienced drivers for the past 3 years and they are only slipping backwards, driver feedback doesn't matter when the car just doesn't have enough grip.

[@benmalone7408]

Russell and this kid together next year would be one of the worst pairings on the grid. The former has flattered to deceive and has a lot of maturing to do and then to pair with a complete rookie. Stuttgart HQ would have their heads.

[@jkbzz]

Russell eventually will be jettisoned once Verstappen becomes available.

[@malvinelpinnoy]

Russell is definitely excited to be lead and getting a bigger pay next season if Max doesn't get signed in. Still, two drivers wet behind the ears would be the funniest thing on the grid next season

[@SilverScarletSpider]

hope russell quits f1

[@Peregrine1984]

Scott: It would be unprecedented! Kimi Raikkonen: (inaudible)

[@kurtm5545]

Antonelli DEF needs te to develop. Rushing him could end up similarly to Sargeant.

[@GamerFlair]

Sargeant wasn't rushed, he was just shit.

[@TheFatSandwhich]

@@GamerFlairSargeant was rushed. That’s a known fact. He was originally planned to do a second year in F2 (where he was very good) but Williams threw him into the F1 seat instead to get adjusted to that. Unfortunately he just succumbed to the non-existent pressure.

[@craig3895]

You're right, Sargaent's issue is he was promoted too quickly, not that he just doesn't have the pace. Good point. Thanks for the input.

[@justinburley8659]

@@craig3895 Vowles has literally expressed regret for rushing Sargeant into F1.

[@GamerFlair]

@@TheFatSandwhich He is also just not very good. He didn't win any of the single seater categories he entered, despite having 3 years in F3. His 4th place in F2 was earned by consistancy rather then pace, which, whilst is a skill in itself, you can teach a fast and inconsistant driver how to be consistant, a slow driver will always be slow. I won't argue that he was not promoted ahead of schedule, because your right, he was, he should not have been promoted. But utlimately, Williams wanted thier American, Williams driver, and the odds are that if he did another season in F2, it would have been impossible to plausably promote him when he finished probably even worse then the year before, as the faster rookies from that year gained the consistancy they had been lacking the year before. But yeah, Logan is shit because his shit. Him being promoted to early isn't really much to do with it. He probably could be better, but he was never going to be anything more then a mid pack second driver at best.

[@carlmuno]

Toto needs to put something in the table because he lost his star, and the car is not performing at all, I think the case of Antonelli is more a Marketing strategy than other thing

[@Redlingstein]

That could backfire so bad…..really bad

[@Aemond2024]

why is the podcast not on yt anymore?

[@jdl5252]

I think that if he gets tested enough and he really is good in an f1 car and he can witstand the pressure, a bit like piastri does, it could work. Mercedes are now 4th in the constructors and are nowhere near the top 3. I don't expect them to be a championship contender next year so why not. Remember last year, mclaren was in the 2nd half of the year at most races the 2nd fastest car and still piastri delivered. That's the thing with rookies like piastri and Verstappen. They could whitstand the pressure. So if he could do that, i think he will do great.

[@adamaldridge3443]

I recon a 2 - 3 year stint in a Williams would do him good. Give him time to work on his craft and gives Mercedes time to sort there car out

[@DavidJohnson-dc8lu]

All I can deduce from Mercedes hype on Antonelli is that he will make a great tester and simulator driver. Didn't Buemi bang out Max's car overnight at Imola, doubt he could drive like Max though. Mercedes also needs to be careful about 2026, especially with Andy Cowell who was behind Mercedes powertrains gone!

[@mrbmw320i3]

Oh i love that cricket reference!

[@mstar011]

@Scott take what F2 does as irrelevant? for kimi?

[@ricknineg]

Remember when they were hyping up Russell to be the next Hamilton…

[@menonverse]

I’m just wondering, if Mercedes does confirm Kimi for 2025 and beyond, what happens to their previous ‘star driver’ George Russell?

[@1985slipstream]

Imagine if Antonelli gets picked up by redbull from under mercs nose and put in a toro rosso

[@selder_7]

If you only care about winning titles, and you do not believe you can win one next year - then what’s the harm in breaking in a rookie when it won’t be able to cost you a title win (as it could have with Russell)

[@hello_alpine1693]

Oh come on now, you guys are pretty heavily at fault for this too! I've known from the beginning that the Antonelli hype train was crazy talk. Stuff the private tests, you only have to look at the F2 results. It's plainly obvious that if Toto fast-tracks him into F1 before he's ready, he's gonna kill the kid's career. It took a while for him to seem to accept that, but you guys on the media side of things were just as bad about giving into vague rumors and acting like he's a confirmed shoe-in for the '25 Merc seat as if he's already won the F2 championship. Shame on you.

[@Randomvideos-zi7pe]

exactly. The media is just as guilty as mercedes

[@BarbaricAvatar]

It does a driver the world of good to be fighting in the midfield or towards the rear for a season or two. Not only does it put less pressure to perform on them, but it gives them a respect for other drivers in similar positions later in their careers. Having said that, the midfield is around where Mercedes are themselves at the moment so it probably doesn't matter for Antonelli to be dropped in there.

[@MrSmith717]

I really love all your voices. They're very pleasant to listen to!

[@aat8345]

i am worried about bearman though. ever since that jeddah weekend he's found it difficult. in imola, he was leading the feature but he stalled twice in the pits losing him the slam dunk win he had. I hope he recovers soon as he's shown in his talent but if he finishes bad in F2, behind Antonelli that will not be a good look.

[@KMcKaig72]

I'd be shocked if they put him in the car next season. And I don't think it would be good to do so. Williams, maybe.

[@manuelmellin7806]

I was here while the title was still wrong

[@dustinabigan2776]

Kimi should be given one more year in F2 at least. As much as there are a lot of seats in F1 for 2025, most of them are going to be filled by existing drivers anyway. And as it is now it doesn't look like he's being linked to other teams, and it's unlikely Red Bull are looking for new drivers. So Mercedes can afford to keep him in F2 for another year before promoting. The question would be which driver would be willing to join Mercedes for a short term contract that would last just 1 year at least and maybe 2 or 3 at best.

[@Murphs37]

The problem with this, is exactly the same as Merc's problem since the start of 2022... Too much noise in the media, Lewis and especially Toto have been their own worst enemies in the media in terms of progress, problems etc. and Kimi has been caught up in this too. It would be better if they just shut their mouths and got on with it, in all areas.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Yes

[@Pkp4l]

MB hasn’t made any of the right choices since it’s been on the back foot. They are trying too hard to think outside the box instead of getting back to the basics and thinking about how to fix its current problems instead of thinking 5 years down the road. Having the future best driver doesn’t matter if your car is fighting for the best of the rest….

[@izzad777]

Best of the rest? I didn't realize being the 4th in wcc standings is the best of the rest...

[@graemewilliams6697]

Antonelli need to start in Williams for a couple of years should he succeed in F2.

[@SpaceBird-Founder]

these guys have come from Yappington, North Yappolina

[@Nehpets1701G]

Antonelli is absolutely ready - he's quite the young prodigy, and his cv before F2 is exceptional.

[@jaymoore332]

I think Charles Leclerc had a pretty picture-perfect progression through F2, Alfa, and Ferrari.

[@haadhimohammed]

They are just trying to make their own Verstappen

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I would make sure that the car was driveable before sticking any rookie in it. Kimi would be better off staying in F2 for another year with a hopefully better Prema.

[@hh-jy1ld]

Guess his test alongside Russell wasn’t amazing.

[@neogeoha1464]

I don't think the MB pressure is going to be there in 2025 that would make things tough for Antonelli. Afterall, once HAM is at Ferrari the majority of the F1 press (who obsess on HAM) will be giving their attention to Ferrari and only mentioning MB when something remarkable happens.

[@4ndyr0g3r50n]

How much of the hype is coming from the media?

[@AKK5I]

2:47 not as harsh Sophia would be

[@NishantRajF1]

honestly he has not shown much pace in f2

[@Reno49]

With Williams and Haas the only 2 independent teams left, works teams will have to throw their rookies in at the deep end and I'm all for it. Granted you can't really test before a debut but Piastri and Lawson have also shown its not too much of an issue.

[@AJ-zy9jf]

He can’t even beat his peers in F2

[@mcfspam]

Has The Race done an in-depth piece on Kimi A? It would be good to know about his racing history and why teams are eyeing him.

[@andylane9785]

How good is Antonelli really, compared to say Sainz?

[@georgthesecond]

I don't get the "don't judge an F2 rookie when it's a new car". It's a new car for everyone, that's the best way to compare how those young drivers adapt to the new machinery.

[@bertjilk3456]

Hamilton went straight into a frontrunning car at McLaren. Piastri is also handling a competitive McLaren very well in only his second year. If the kid has the goods, put him in the car. I don't think Mercedes will be expected to win next year, so he'll have the same breathing space Piastri had.

[@ilikemilkshake22]

Toto seems so paranoid about missing out on a Verstappen level talent again. I've not seen Kimi in the regionals, maybe he is the real deal, hard to see where he's at with this Prema. But yeah, far too much expectation being put on him right now

[@matthew8093]

I think it comes down to where the car itself ends the year. If they're continuing to have to scrap and fight to ensure they stay in the points and ideally get 6th-8th, then Antonelli could put them at risk of finishing 5th in the championship next year, which they would consider a huge failure (to be frank they'll probably consider finishing a likely 4th this year a huge failure).

[@MoGumbo_]

They should have never given the large spotlight on Antonelli, thats so much pressure. Hope he proves me wrong tho

[@alexd5240]

I personally think Mick should take the seat over Antonelli

[@vishaljosealukka4258]

just like Christian Horner says: "change your f***ing car!"😂😂

[@Frazec_Atsjenkov]

I find it funny that some people praise Bearman into high heaven while placing question marks with Antonelli...

[@iFlo5]

They‘ve got Schumacher as their backup driver, they could put him in the second seat next season and give Antonelli another year of F2 because he‘s not really lighting it up there yet.

[@jamie199715]

I don't think Mercedes want to waste millions rebuilding cars for a season 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@VinylScratchOfficial]

​@@jamie199715 they're already wasting millions building bad cars every season.

[@shinebassist]

Why bother worrying now. The kid has only had 4 weekends racing a car with actual down force. Lets come back at seasons end and see where we stand(which i think is mercs position on it), instead of pointlessly speculating about nothing

[@christopherodonoghue3858]

I can understand the argument Antonielli would be better at Williams for his sake, but the days of Big teams going to smaller teams to babysit their stars of tomorrow are starting to end. Every team maybe with the expection of Haas, VCARB and possibly Alpine have plans to win a world championship in 5 years and they do not want to develop a driver only for him to go a team that team hopes to be competing against in that time frame. Additionally to that, would Mecredes do they sign lets say Carlos Sainz or maybe Alex Albon, either one comes in and does a better job than Russell, it would be impossible to justify letting then go for still only a 19 year with a years experience in F1. As well as that Mercedes will know what Antonielli is capable of through simulator work and track days. I still think Antonielli is a good idea for Mercedes.

[@justamanchimp]

Short answer yes, I said this ages ago

[@ravil4388]

A lot of people put an over emphasis on this 'last aorta of outright pace' BS. IMHO, that does not matter - Prost, Lauda, Schumacher all had glowing careers as much as Senna, Hunt / Mansell, Hakkinen, Alonso or Hamilton. Sainz is in the former mould but equally effective.

[@TassieLorenzo]

If so, Mercedes would be keen to sign Sainz but they are not for some reason.

[@user-vs9ju2yt9i]

Bottas going back to merc would be like when Norm Macdonald went back to SNL. One of the all time great monologues. 12:37

[@wadecoppage5583]

On the flip side: is ANTONELLI risking his future by committing long term to Mercedes? Theyve show so far to only have gotten 1 car right, and with their split turbo engine being so dominant, the car may not have even been the greatest. They struck out on the new regs, whos to say they wont take another step backwards with the '26 regs. But who knows...

[@Purplesector77]

The real question is how did Ferrari miss out on this Italian talent?

[@wutsfordinner]

You can hear the anguish for not signing Verstappen when he was a teenager in the whole antoneli hype

[@HarisDotParis]

I am surprised you compared Antonelli to Verstappen's but not to Hamilton's debut. I just hope Antonelli doesn't have the same dirty fight with Russell that Lewis and Nando had back in the day...

[@sebastianboyd1769]

9:00 Minutes in (When the option would presumably they could put Antonelli at williams like they did with Russell) isn't bottas taking that seat or is it still not confirmed? i thought it was

[@Lianpe98]

no, he just had a 15 minute coffe chat with James Vowels, nothing more

[@joaoalmeida9264]

First, Kimi Antonelli needs to reach the podium in F2...

[@buddie5720]

Even is next year Kimi is F1 world champion with Merc, the answer is yes.

[@mikeakerstrom1667]

Replace "Mercedes" here with "F1 media" and this is accurate. I may be missing something here, but I haven't really heard Mercedes themselves talking up Antonelli

[@StephenLee529]

Mercedes should give Mic the 2nd seat and put everything into George..simple fix. Give the young guy a 2nd season in F2 and then re-asses..