For some time now, Kimi Antonelli has been seen as someone destined for Formula 1. However, a tricky campaign in F2 with Prema has seen doubts emerge about whether Mercedes will promote him so quickly. Amidst this speculation, Antonelli responded with a dominant victory at the Silverstone Sprint Race – putting together a head-turning performance in wet conditions.
Why Kimi Antonelli has always been priority at Mercedes
In the early months of 2024, Toto Wolff spent most of his interviews discussing off-track developments rather than the situation on track. With the W15 initially failing to reach expectations, the Mercedes team principal preferred to focus on the team’s future line-up.
Although recent progress at Brackley has changed the situation on track, Wolff’s comments about the future are as relevant as ever. If anything, the fact Mercedes are on track to win races consistently in 2025 puts additional scrutiny on whoever will be George Russell’s next teammate.
For several months, Kimi Antonelli has been discussed as Mercedes’ priority target. Even with relatively lukewarm results in F2 to start the year, the 17-year-old’s prospects went largely unaffected.
Considering that Prema teammate Oliver Bearman (now confirmed as a Haas driver) is having a difficult campaign, it seems fair to say that Antonelli is driving for a team that – unlike previous seasons – are no longer the reference point in Formula 2.
Wolff: Antonelli will do great things in F1
However, with wet conditions acting as the great equaliser, the Mercedes junior showed his calibre. Speaking after this significant victory, Toto Wolff underlined the importance of this feat:
“It was an important victory. I would say, a turning point for him,” Gazzetta quotes him as saying.
“He literally dominated, and he’s not even eighteen years old. He was a second faster than the others, and he was always in control until the last corner.
“Kimi made a big step today, and I’m sure he will do great things in Formula 1.”
Even though Formula 2 is a spec series, performance has always differed between teams. Different setups, reliability failures, and other factors can impact the F2 and even the F3 grids.
That said, Kimi Antonelli is putting a greater spotlight on this fact. As Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained last week, the standings can paint a misleading picture in junior categories.
The good news for Antonelli is that, even before last weekend, he was in Pole Position to join Mercedes for 2025. Excluding a surprise change of heart for Verstappen, the 17-year-old was always the priority at Brackley.
Of course, his latest Sprint Race victory quickly boosts his aspirations. It reaffirms the team’s confidence in his potential as they continue evaluating his progress for a 2025 seat.
