Wolff expects Antonelli to match Russell in 2025

Mercedes Components 1 staff principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to match George Russell for tempo throughout his rookie season, however insists the Italian’s aim is get acclimatised forward of 2026.

Antonelli was introduced by the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term alternative for Lewis Hamilton, a plan which needed to be expedited when Hamilton determined to depart for Ferrari forward of this season.

Antonelli’s promotion is the fruits of a seven-year venture and, regardless of his tender age of 18, the younger Italian is backed by Wolff to begin matching his skilled teammate Russell from the off.

“Once we determined to go for Kimi, it was clear that we’re going for a younger driver that has proven large potential within the junior sequence since we have recognized him,” Wolff mentioned as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne’s St Kilda seashore.

“For Kimi, it is in regards to the time to develop, to be taught the tracks, to be on high for subsequent 12 months, the regulation change. Meaning nice outcomes and meaning moments the place it should be harder.

“I mentioned to George: ‘We do not anticipate you to simply be crushing Kimi on a regular basis’.

“We would not have employed Kimi if we thought that may be the case. So, I imagine when it comes to velocity, Kimi goes to be proper up there with George. There’s loads to be taught when it comes to lengthy working the tyres, and the event goes to be steep.

“We’ve got a driver mixture of 1 very younger driver, 18 years previous, and one other younger driver, 27 years previous, and hopefully they’ll push one another, and push one another sturdy.”

Wolff additionally reiterated that together with his selection for homegrown abilities Russell and Antonelli, making a transfer for Max Verstappen is not on his radar right now.

“We have to consider our driver line-up,” Wolff mentioned. “We have to do the perfect that we’ve. I do not flirt outdoors if we’re having an excellent relationship. And that’s true for this 12 months too. So for the time being, that’s not on our radar.”