Mercedes 'should have' signed Carlos Sainz if it 'really wanted' to win the championship

He has not yet started a Grand Prix. Formula 1 that Andrea Kimi Antonelli's position is already in question. Rather, it is the decision of Toto wolff to offer him the second seat Mercedes which questions some observers, skeptical about the level of maturity of the Italian to already occupy such an important place. Antonelli has his driving qualities, undeniable and indisputable, which have splashed the different promotion formulas through which he has passed, often with great success. On the other hand, the native of Bologna is only 18 years old and was in FRECA – the fourth step of the pyramid of the car – fifteen months ago.

Since then, his career has accelerated with a direct move to Formula 2, skipping the box Formula 3, but his first season (6th in the championship) showed as much promise as small youthful flaws to be ironed out. Despite everything, Mercedes made its decision, judging the young man ready enough to drive in Formula 1 in 2025. This bold decision makes him the first rookie to join a team that finished among the top four constructors in the previous season since Lewis Hamilton in 2007. Coincidence or a sign of destiny, the Briton is precisely the one who gives up his seat to Antonelli, which also allows Mercedes to significantly reduce its wage bill.

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Mercedes made a mistake with Antonelli, says Jordan

"Mercedes are probably saving 50 million on the current salary compared to Lewis Hamilton. I think if they pay Antonelli just a few million it will be Christmas early. So there is a huge saving in terms of costs." believes Eddie Jordan in the Formula For Success podcast. The Irishman, founder of his own team competing in Formula between 1991 and 2005, would not have hired Andrea Kimi Antonelli if he had been in Toto Wolff's position. Jordan thinks that the Austrian would have done better to recruit an experienced driver if he had really wanted to win the title in 2025. Proof, according to him, that Mercedes will rather sacrifice the coming season to concentrate on the new regulations of 2026.

"The choice of Antonelli remains a surprise to me. I still think they should have chosen Carlos Sainz » assures Eddie Jordan. “I still believe that if Mercedes were desperate to win the constructors’ championship, they needed someone other than Kimi alongside George (Russell). Because with all due respect, you can’t just perform in your first year. And if he does, I’ll be the first to say, ‘Hallelujah, brother, you’ve done an incredible job’. But right now, it’s not clear to me yet… And I know I might regret my words because this guy is going to be sensational, but overall, it’s a huge ask. It’s a big risk for Mercedes to expect him to perform straight away.”

The team with the star has not quite thrown Andrea Kimi Antonelli into the deep end without a safety net either. First, the 2023 FRECA champion has accumulated thousands of kilometers behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, testing old single-seaters in order to be as ready as possible when the time comes to get his chance. Then, if he turns out not to be ready at all or his level is too far from his teammate – which would be a surprise – Mercedes could count on its reserve driver, Valtteri Bottas to ensure the interim while waiting for the future third youngest driver in the history of the category to reach maturity. He is, let us recall, only barely 18 years old.

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