Mercedes impressed by Antonelli “at metronomic pace” during his first F1 tests

It's certain: James Allison's new statements concerning the little protégé of Mercedes Benz, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will fuel the rumor mill among fans. The young pilot, only 17 years old, remember, made his first two runs aboard Formula 1 modern models last April: first in Austria with the W12 of 2021, then in Imola with the “zero pontoons” W13 of 2022. And if the cold reaction of the technical director of the German team is to be believed, the Italian would have impressed from his first laps.

“He is an enthusiastic young driver, very fast, with a metronomic pace. He hadn't been in an F1 car before, but he looked like he had done one for a long time in the space of a lap or two.", said James Allison on the sidelines of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where Antonelli is present for the Formula 2.

“He approached this generation of single-seaters, the ground-effect cars, with an open mind, added the British engineer. Yes, he feels all the things you expect him to feel. But it is not 'polluted' by previous generations. So he takes them as they are and tells us what he feels are their weaknesses and strengths. And he lets the engineers work to try to improve these points. But he seems to be a very promising young driver. »

Hamilton would place Antonelli at Mercedes in 2025

While Andrea Kimi Antonelli's future is increasingly linked to Formula 1, possibly from 2025 (at Mercedes or at Williams ?), the Italian is once again offered excellent publicity by the Silver Arrows… or additional pressure, depending on your point of view.

Lewis Hamilton he himself made himself an “agent” of the Mercedes protégé by declaring on Thursday that he would take the gamble of placing the young Italian driver to replace him within the German team in 2025, if it was he who decided. "Honestly, I have no idea what Toto's plans are (Wolff), the boss of the team, but if it was my job, if it was my role… I would probably take Kimi", launched the seven-time British world champion.

Before thinking about Formula 1, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will first have to focus on his championship in Formula 2. This weekend at Imola, the Bologna native qualified in 4th place for the Main Race. Currently 9th in the championship, the Italian has the opportunity to get closer to the leaders on his home soil.

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