George Russell makes exciting Kimi Antonelli spot as Mercedes announcement imminent
Kimi Antonelli will be announced as a Mercedes F1 driver at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.
George Russell has revealed that Kimi Antonelli was ‘exceptionally fast’ when the pair lined up together for a behind-closed-doors test at Silverstone earlier this summer. The teenager is set to be announced as Lewis Hamilton’s successor in Monza this weekend.
Antonelli has been groomed for the second Mercedes seat all year, completing an extensive testing programme alongside his rookie Formula Two campaign. While Max Verstappen was Toto Wolff’s first choice, he has been willing to fall back on the insurance policy that the 18-year-old presents.
Now, with Verstappen out of the picture, the coast is clear for Antonelli, who will make his FP1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix where he will also be announced as their driver for the 2025 season and beyond. If Russell’s comments are anything to go by then he could take the F1 world by storm.
“I see him every time he’s racing F2,” Russell explained. “We always keep a close eye on how he’s getting on, watching all of the races. We did a test together in Silverstone a couple of months ago.
“So that was a great opportunity for him to get behind the wheel of a Formula One car. He was exceptionally fast, so I’m sure if he were to get a drive in Formula One, I’m sure he’d do a great job.”
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He then added: “I think whoever’s going to be my team-mate next year, of course, we’ll welcome them. And excited for the challenge together. Kimi’s an exceptional driver, such an amazing track record in his junior series, always destined to be a Formula One driver.
“And if it were to be him, I think it sort of shows the strength also of the Mercedes junior program. Reminds me a bit of my journey, starting off as a young kid, walking through the doors in Formula Three and climbing the ladder. And it would be a great story for the team, but who knows?”
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Antonelli isn’t the only new driver in the spotlight at Monza this weekend. Williams will have a new name above their garage with Franco Colapinto set to team up with Alex Albon for the final nine races of the year.
He replaces the outgoing Logan Sargeant, whose heavy FP3 crash at Zandvoort proved to be the final straw for team principal James Vowles. Both Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson were considered as potential replacements, but Colapinto got the nod as the shining light of their driver academy programme.