Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been paying close attention to the driver market as he prepares to sign a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Big names like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and even the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen are being talked about, but it seems like Wolff has his eyes set on someone else. 17-year-old Mercedes Junior driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently in his rookie Formula 2 season for Prema Racing, could be Wolff’s new hope.

Wolff is not in a hurry to make the decision. He is willing to let the top drivers sign with different teams while he focuses on the development of the young Italian. In a recent conversation, Wolff gave his reasons for considering Kimi Antonelli over other more experienced drivers. He believes that putting Kimi in Mercedes while the team is still in a rebuilding phase will allow the Italian driver to ease into his role at the team without the immediate pressure to deliver race-winning performances.

When asked about the benefits of getting Antonelli in a Mercedes in 2025, Wolff said, “I think you can look at it from various perspectives. I believe that we are in a rebuild phase. You need to acknowledge that now three years into these regulations. We have to do things differently than we have done in the past. Without throwing overboard what we believe is goodness. In the way we operate. And rebuild could mean putting a young driver in there. And giving him an opportunity with less pressure. Than fighting for victories immediately. Or putting a more experienced driver in the car. That can help us dig ourselves out of the current performance situation. That’s my picture.”

And it looks like Mercedes is fast-tracking Antonelli’s development to get him ready for Formula 1 as soon as possible.

Kimi Antonelli is set to drive Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 title challenger

According to the rules, Formula 1 teams are allowed to let their junior drivers hone their skills on 2 years older cars. So, Mercedes could, in theory, let Antonelli drive the team’s first ground effect car from 2022. However, Toto Wolff has decided that it would be better for the Italian to first get his hands on the more capable W12 that Hamilton used to fight the 2021 championship with Max Verstappen. The first test is scheduled for April 16th at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, marking the beginning of what promises to be a series of assessments for the 17-year-old.

The confirmation came from the X account of Formula 1 presenter, Will Buxton who confirmed that Mercedes wants Antonelli to test out their 2021 car before the W13. He tweeted, “Toto Wolff, with a big smile and a sense of self-deprecation, confirms Antonelli will test the 2021 Mercedes (even though it’s now legal to run a current rules spec 22 car) as Mercedes want him to get the feel for F1 in a good car.”

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Why Is There So Much Hype Around This Mercedes Junior Driver?

What are your expectations from Kimi Antonelli? Do you think he will end up in a Mercedes or Williams if Wolff decides to bring him on the Formula 1 stage in 2025? Share your insights in the comments down below.