Mercedes F1 News: Junior Driver Takes On Formula One Test Ahead Of Potential Hamilton Replacement

Andrea Kimi Antonelli's first test in the Mercedes W12 positions him as a prime potential candidate to succeed Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli takes his debut in a Formula One car, driving the Mercedes W12 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. This marks a significant step in evaluating potential successors for Lewis Hamilton, as the seven-time champion prepares for his shift to Ferrari in 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Andrea Kimi Antonelli drove the Mercedes W12, which secured the 2021 Constructors' Championship, for his initial Formula One test.
• The test comes amidst speculation about Mercedes’ future driver lineup, particularly who might replace Lewis Hamilton alongside George Russell.
• Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, has high expectations for Antonelli, whose performance in Formula 2 this season is also under scrutiny.

As the anticipation builds for who Mercedes will choose as Hamilton's replacement, Antonelli took his first steps into the world of Formula One racing. At just 17 years old, the Italian racer tested the Mercedes W12 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari next season, leaving a highly coveted seat open. Antonelli, alongside current Mercedes driver George Russell, is considered a strong contender for this spot. His initial run in the W12 was designed to showcase his capability ahead of potentially more critical tests in the team's 2022 car later in the year. The pressure is on Antonelli to prove Mercedes chief Toto Wolff he is ready to join Formula One and is the better option as opposed to a more seasoned driver such as Carlos Sainz.

In Formula 2, Antonelli has been making noticeable strides with Prema, having bypassed the traditional stepping-stone of Formula 3. His performance there has been solid, currently standing ninth in the championship after the first three weekends. His points tally places him on par with other promising talents, including former Red Bull Racing junior Jak Crawford.

Antonelli's test drive comes at a time when Mercedes is also evaluating other talents, like Oliver Bearman, who made an impressive Formula One debut by scoring points. Bearman's performance and Antonelli's potential are key factors in Mercedes' decision-making process regarding their future driver lineup. Other names mentioned as potential Hamilton replacements include Sainz, who Hamilton is replacing at Ferrari, Esteban Ocon, and there has even been speculation about Max Verstappen making a move from Red Bull.