The italian flag returns to the Formula 1 grid next season, but Juan Pablo Montoya issues a word of caution to Andrea Kimi Antonelli about his future at Mercedes.
All eyes are on the new rookies making their debut in Formula 1 next season, including the much-anticipated return of an Italian driver to the grid: Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old from Bologna, who recently obtained his driver’s license, will debut as a full-time F1 driver at the Melbourne Grand Prix on March 14, behind the wheel of the car crafted by the Brackley team, set to be unveiled on February 24, 2025.
A great deal of pressure will weigh on the young shoulders of the Italian driver, who inherits a seat once occupied by none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Expectations are high as Antonelli lines up alongside George Russell, donning the iconic three-pointed star of Mercedes. However, team principal Toto Wolff has stressed the importance of patience, acknowledging the process of development Antonelli will need to undergo, with Russell naturally taking on the role of a big brother to guide him.
Not sharing Wolff’s optimism is former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who suggested that Mercedes may have acted preemptively by bringing back Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver, who secured 10 wins during his previous stint with the team, has returned as a reserve driver. Montoya believes this move serves as a contingency plan, should Antonelli fail to meet the team’s expectations under Toto Wolff’s leadership.
““Antonelli is in the spotlight with one of the best teams out there, alongside a teammate who’s performing excellently and being billed as the next Verstappen. If he doesn’t live up to the hype, it’s going to be tough. My opinion is that with Bottas, Mercedes has ensured a safety net. They’ve protected themselves. It’s a fallback plan in case things don’t work out with Antonelli, and he knows it ,” Montoya said in an interview with CasasDeApuestas.bet. Montoya’s harsh words add to the pressure on the young Mercedes rookie as he embarks on his first season in the pinnacle of motorsport.
“There will be moments when he frustrates us and others where he shows flashes of brilliance,” Toto Wolff had commented not long ago. Surely, Antonelli has much to learn, but the trust Mercedes’ team principal places in him signals the potential for immense growth. Entering the season as a rough diamond, who knows? Antonelli might just emerge as the brightest among the rookies this year.
The talent is undeniably there, and it seems unlikely that Wolff intends to adopt the same strict philosophy employed by Red Bull’s Helmut Marko or Alpine’s former boss, Flavio Briatore.
Photo: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.