Toto Wolff’s Kimi Antonelli Plan Gets a Big Boost From Max Verstappen

The entire universe seems to be pushing Andrea Kimi Antonelli towards realizing his F1 dream. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has his eyes firmly set on the 17-year-old prodigy and plans to give him Lewis Hamilton‘s Mercedes seat in 2026 if not next year. Moreover, Hamilton himself declared Antonelli as his first choice for the vacant 2025 seat. If the skillful views of a 7-time champion and his team boss don’t feel enough, reigning World champion Max Verstappen has also backed the “talented” Italian.

Kimi Antonelli, though currently competing in F2, has already completed a full-blown test run for Mercedes in Imola with the W13. By signing him, Toto Wolff will complete the redemption arc he started when he missed signing a 17-year-old Max Verstappen. Though Wolff is now after the 3-time champion to replace Hamilton, Verstappen reckons Antonelli is set for success. As a result, he has given golden words of wisdom to the 17-year-old.

“I hope there’s nothing too intimidating (for Antonelli),” Verstappen said in the Thursday press conference in Monaco, as quoted by Soymotor… “But you’re a rookie, there’s so many things to learn. A whole race in F3, at that time, was 35 minutes. Here you have to take great care of the tires. They are sensitive compared to other categories. You have to enjoy the good and bad moments, as you come out after a difficult GP.”

“When things don’t work out, there’s a lot to learn,” the Dutchman added, reflecting on his F1 learnings. “When you’re talented, and it’s something you see with Kimi. I don’t think he should worry too much. I was lucky enough to start with Toro Rosso. Not many people look at you, and you can make some mistakes. Don’t overthink, let it happen, focus on going fast, make mistakes, get good results, and try not to think about it. Now, you can explain it, but when you’re 17, you don’t know,” he concluded.

Kimi Antonelli, getting advice from a driver who has walked the walk when he was the same age, is just perfection. If you still aren’t convinced about the PREMA F2 racer’s supreme potential, here’s George Russell further adding to the support train.

George Russell agrees to have “fantastic” Kimi Antonelli as his Mercedes teammate

George Russell is Mercedes’ latest find. Merely two years after joining the team, he is about to become the lead driver in 2025. So, his cohesiveness with an up-and-coming Antonelli would be necessary. At the Monaco GP press conference, the Briton assured everybody that he would be open to having the Italian prodigy alongside him to replace Hamilton.

“I think Kimi is a fantastic driver,” Russell told Crash.net in Monaco. “Obviously, he’s racing in Formula 2 this year but he’s no doubt going to be an F1 driver in the future,” he added, echoing Toto Wolff’s view. “He’s a fellow junior driver as well, coming through the ranks as I did with the team. I think it makes for a great opportunity for Mercedes to build into the future. But as I said before, I welcome anybody as my teammate.”

With a brilliant F4 season behind him and the mandatory F1 testing done, Antonelli looks geared up for an F1 call-up. But will Wolff ditch the Carlos Sainz option to sign him as early as 2025? Either way, F1 already has its next star patiently prepping in the wings.