Rosberg excited by Mercedes 'bold' bet on Antonelli

Mercedes’ decision to place rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell for the 2025 Formula 1 season has sparked a wave of intrigue in the paddock – and a nod of approval from 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg.

While praising the teenager’s raw talent, Rosberg labeled the move by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as “bold,” given the high-stakes nature of F1’s cutthroat environment.

Antonelli, just 18, will replace Lewis Hamilton and become the first rookie to debut with Mercedes since 1954.

A prodigy in the junior ranks, the Italian driver has earned comparisons to Max Verstappen for his meteoric rise, leaving karting only in 2019.

Rosberg’s Insights: A Star in the Making

Rosberg, who knows Antonelli from his time in karting, is confident in the youngster’s potential but acknowledges the challenges ahead.

"I know Kimi very well, he was racing in my karting academy in 2019, and I had already seen at that age what an impressive talent he was," Rosberg told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's a bold move on Toto's part, but you can't ignore the potential this kid has."

• Read also: Russell backs Antonelli’s equal role in Mercedes’ 2025 development

Rosberg anticipates growing pains but believes Mercedes will provide the necessary support.

"He will certainly make mistakes in 2025, but I know Mercedes will back him up well. He has a bright future ahead of him, and I am excited to see how he adapts to F1," he said.

Rosberg also highlighted the brutal nature of F1, offering advice to Antonelli and the sport’s other incoming rookies.

"The early seasons are full of challenges, and having someone experienced to guide you can make a real difference,” he said.

“I hope the rookies coming in this year have solid support systems around them, because F1 can be ruthless, and after a few bad performances, things can change quickly for them."

A Class of Talented Rookies

Antonelli will debut alongside two other absolute rookies in 2025: Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar.

Meanwhile, Haas’ Oliver Bearman, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, and Alpine’s Jack Doohan all have race mileage in F1 under their belt.

Despite the inevitable learning curve, the excitement surrounding Antonelli’s promotion is palpable.
Mercedes’ long-term investment in the Italian is a testament to Wolff’s belief in his ability to deliver results and develop into a star.

Preparing for the Big Stage

Antonelli begins his preparations for the 2025 season this week with a private test at Jerez, driving Mercedes’ dominant 2020 W11 under F1’s Testing of Historic Cars (THC) regulations.

Unlike the sport’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, THC permits unlimited mileage for cars older than three full seasons, giving Mercedes an opportunity to maximize Antonelli’s track time without eating into its TPC allowance.

The latter, capped at 1,000 kilometers per driver and limited to 20 days per year, will be strategically preserved for future use.

By running Antonelli in the W11, a car that won 13 of 17 races in 2020, Mercedes aims to acclimate the young talent to the demands of F1 machinery while easing him into the high-pressure environment.

While the road ahead will undoubtedly present challenges, Antonelli's raw talent and the support of the Mercedes team suggest a promising future for the young Italian driver.

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