Mercedes have been informed to provide Andrea Kimi Antonelli “respiration house” in his rookie marketing campaign.
Teenage starlet Antonelli was picked by Toto Wolff to change into the substitute for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.
Though supremely proficient, Antonelli’s adaption to System 1 stays to be seen.
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“We don’t know the place Mercedes will rack up within the pecking order, previously few seasons they’ve been neither right here nor there for giant portions,” Lewis Larkam informed the Crash F1 podcast.
“They haven’t strung collectively championship campaigns, they’ve had flashes of performances like in Vegas. However that they had no rationalization for the way they achieved it.
“If that continues into 2025, as I anticipate that it’ll, at the very least early on, it’s tough to have a set objective for Antonelli.
“Based mostly on what we’ve heard from Toto Wolff, I don’t suppose they are going to be setting particular objectives to realize.
“He has been very eager to downplay the hype round Antonelli.
“Kimi will need podiums, wins and pole positions however I’m unsure there can be a particular goal set.
“Whereas there is a component of being below strain, he’s bought to be given respiration house initially.
“They’re bringing in an 18 yr previous who probably has an enormous future. They see him as their reply to Max Verstappen.
“I don’t see that they are going to simply chuck him out if he has a sluggish begin, or isn’t beating the requirements anticipated.
“Mercedes is perhaps pleased if he goes below the radar, and doesn’t crash the automotive, moderately than pulling out performances that may are available time.”
‘Uncooked tempo’ predicted for Kimi Antonelli
Connor McDonagh mentioned: “It’s a great yr for Antonelli to affix. 2026 is the large yr. Toto has spoken about how the sensation contained in the crew is sweet, forward of the brand new engines.
“It will likely be a yr of studying for Antonelli.
“We’ll see his uncooked tempo however with tyre administration, you possibly can enhance that.
“In Charles Leclerc’s first yr, he was fast in opposition to Sebastian Vettel. In his second yr, his tyre administration actually improved.”
Lewis Larkam continued: “Oscar Piastri was additionally undoubtedly fast in his first yr, however he has improved together with his consistency and his tyre administration.
“It will likely be the same case for Antonelli.
“It’s very best for Mercedes to deliver him in now, with much less strain. Mercedes are taking part in the lengthy sport with Antonelli.
“They see him as their future. That is his likelihood to make errors earlier than they’re in a championship-winning place, when expectations can be very totally different.”
