Kimi Antonelli: A Formula 1 debut at Monza
Andrea Kimi Antonelli could make his Mercedes debut during Friday's free practice session at Monza. The young Italian is preparing for a possible promotion in the parent discipline, as he is tipped to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
If Mercedes has not yet announced the name of its second driver, there is no doubt that Andrea Kimi Antonelli is at the forefront. The young Italian who won the Hungarian Grand Prix in Formula 2 was already associated with the team early in the season. He, a member of the Mercedes Junior Academy, is finally getting ready to make his Formula 1 debut.
A car he has not yet driven
The Prema driver will drive publicly for the first time at Monza as part of the Italian Grand Prix. This was reported by Motorsport Italy, which often has good information about team affairs. He will take the wheel of the W15 as the Friday grid enters the first free practice session. The session will take place at Monza on August 30 in the morning.
The 17-year-old Italian, who will turn 18 this Sunday, is considered one of the main contenders for a position at Mercedes starting in 2025. He could replace Lewis Hamilton who will join Ferrari at the end of the year. Although no official confirmation has been made at this time, this training session could prepare Kimi Antonelli for a potential promotion to the Mercedes Formula 1 team. So far, no other name than that of Max Verstappen has been openly considered, but the Dutch driver has confirmed that he does not intend to leave Red Bull. This makes Kimi Antonelli the number 1 candidate for the vacant seat.
However, this is not the first time that the Italian driver has driven for Mercedes. He has already conducted private tests this season behind the wheel of the W13 and W14, but this time will be his first public appearance. Test sessions that he has been the only one to carry out this year and which could sway the decision in his favor. He could therefore drive alongside George Russell in the near future. In addition to the private tests for Mercedes, the Italian already takes on the role of simulator driver for the team.
Kimi Antonelli’s steering wheel takeover should take place as part of the rookie training session for Formula 1. Mercedes has not yet officially announced its plans for the two mandatory training sessions reserved for them this year. However, after Monza, only two other opportunities remain: the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Beside Peter Bonnington
In today’s news, it was confirmed that race engineer Peter Bonnington will stay at Mercedes, even after his driver Lewis Hamilton’s departure. Having worked closely with the British driver for over 10 years, he has been promoted to head of race engineering. When Kimi Antonelli takes the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s W15, it will be the engineer who will accompany him.
The two men recently came into contact for the first time during the private Pirelli tire tests at Spa-Francorchamps. The young Italian impressed so much that he partly influenced Peter Bonnington’s decision to stay at Mercedes. With a willingness to support young drivers in their progression in Formula 1, it is potentially a new historical duo that could come into play within the German team.