Mercedes are ramping up preparations for teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli with an eye to get him on the grid as quickly as possible.
After a decent but not spectacular start to life in Formula 2, Kimi Antonelli is already seen as one of the most likely rookies to be on the Formula 1 grid in 2025.
A report from the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport has outlined the next step in Antonelli’s development and it involves a former Formula 1 driver.
Speculation is mounting that Antonelli may be turning out for Williams sooner rather than later.
Logan Sargeant hasn’t been hitting the desired heights for James Vowles’s team, although he produced his best performance of the season in the Sprint Race in Miami.
He once again was eliminated in Q1 ahead of the Miami Grand Prix although Yuki Tsunoda did him no favours.
Antonelli has another Mercedes test coming up very soon and this time he’ll be racing up against Mick Schumacher.
The Mercedes junior- who has 44 Formula 1 races to his name – will be a very good yardstick for how quick the Italian really is.
Kimi Antonelli to test Mercedes against Mick Schumacher
After Daniel Ricciardo’s phenomenal performance in the Sprint Race on Saturday, the list of drivers yet to score a point this season now only contains six drivers.
Both Sargeant and teammate Alex Albon are among those drivers, however, Albon is one of three drivers to have missed out on points by a single point.
Sargeant is the unfortunate driver who sits 21 in a 20-car Drivers’ Championship after Oliver Bearman’s impressive cameo in Saudi Arabia.
His 10-place finish in the Sprint Race shows he has potential, but Williams can’t keep waiting for Sargeant to reach an acceptable level.
This turns the attention to Antonelli who ahead of his next test up against Mick Schumacher for Mercedes, has already had his lap times compared to Lewis Hamilton.
While Williams are unlikely to get the special dispensation they would need to introduce Antonelli before the summer break, they’re keeping him firmly on their radar.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship
Kimi Antonelli being lined up for 2025 Formula 1 seat
The report from AMuS provides further details about Antonelli’s future and his upcoming test.
They suggest that rumours in the paddock are swirling that as soon as Williams get the green light from the FIA that Antonelli can race, he’ll be in Logan Sargeant’s car.
Both Wolff and Vowles want Antonelli to gain more experience in Formula 2 and F1 tests but eventually, a decision needs to be made.
Antonelli has already taken part in tests in Spielberg and Imola and his third outing will take place at Silverstone.
He will once again drive a Mercedes 2022 car and Antonelli will be up against Mick Schumacher in his latest test.
The German driver is still aiming to return to Formula 1 and if he does well up against the teenager then it could ‘improve his chances’ of potentially driving for Alpine next year.
They say Williams have no need for the ‘tremendous’ Schumacher as a short-term option and they will likely stick with Sargeant until the summer break.
Williams have no interest in only having Antonelli for a few races and letting him leave in 2025 to partner George Russell.
James Vowles wants the Italian to stay for at least two years and that could change Toto Wolff’s criteria for replacing Lewis Hamilton.
Ideally, they would have the chance to sign Max Verstappen as Hamilton’s replacement.
However, if they can’t sign the three-time world champion, then Carlos Sainz might be the man to hire if he’s unsure about joining Audi.
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