Will Antonelli Rise to the Challenge? Mercedes Prepares for 2026
Jul.30 - The intense spotlight on Kimi Antonelli is growing heavier by the day, as the teenage rookie continues to struggle alongside George Russell in his debut season with Mercedes.
Once hailed as the next Verstappen, Antonelli was fast-tracked into Formula 1 at just 18 - having received his super licence dispensation while still 17. But the early promise has turned into pressure, with the Italian visibly emotional during a painful weekend at Spa, where he was seen in tears in front of assembled media.
"He's simply too far behind," said Ralf Schumacher, who warned that Antonelli's career could be in doubt if the gap to Russell doesn't shrink. "Coming into Formula 1 as the new Verstappen isn't good for anyone."
"You just have to say it. If he's going to become a world-class driver, everyone will naturally be watching closely to see how he performs against Russell - and he's not there yet."
Martin Brundle, speaking to f1-insider.com, questioned the decision to debut Antonelli directly at Mercedes. "I still wonder why they didn't give Kimi a year or two (at a smaller team), like they did with George Russell, to develop under less scrutiny.
"They can't allow him to drift mentally."
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, quoted by Ekstra Bladet, believes Mercedes should take decisive action.
"I would sign a deal with him," he said. "It's small money, and it would give him a boost of self-confidence. If things go really wrong at the end of the year, you can always pay him and make a change, as we've always seen in Formula 1."
Toto Wolff has reportedly held talks with Flavio Briatore about a potential loan move to Alpine, but signs now point to both Antonelli and Russell being retained for 2026.
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Even if Mercedes wanted to give him time elsewhere, they couldn't have, so starting immediately in a top team was the only option to start his F1 career this year.
If they had any doubts about his pressure-handling ability in a top team, he wouldn't have started racing in F1 this year.
Ultimately, the whole point of starting immediately in a top team in the final year of mature technical regulations & consequently low success pressure has been to let him gain experience & maturity as a driver, so that he's even more ready when next season starts, so acting in a contradictory manner wouldn't benefit him one bit anymore, nor do the claims about Alpine even have any substance, so people should stop with making up stuff, especially as their driver priorities are elsewhere anyway.
Besides, his zero-scores have mostly been down to factors out of his control, such as unreliability & getting rear-ended by Hadjar, so people should stop jumping to conclusions, especially since this season isn't what matters, but next season, which is the make-or-break season for him with new technical regulations & a full-season experience underneath him.
Even if Mercedes wanted to give him time elsewhere, they couldn't have, so starting immediately in a top team was the only option to start his F1 career this year.
If they had any doubts about his pressure-handling ability in a top team, he wouldn't have started racing in F1 this year.
It was Torgers only option, or were top drivers queuing up sign a one deal...!
Indeed, as Sainz was more or less the only other option & he was uninterested in a single-year deal.
Come on give the boy some slack. He started the season very strong and even wasn't that far off from Russell and had 2 DNF's because of power unit failures.
He clearly has talent, but is still very young. I guess Rosberg is right, even Verstappen started his career at the Red Bull sister team when he was 17. Hopefully Toto can give him some room to develop and get to ease more.
Talent doesn't need fixing, it needs space to develop.
In the words of DC F1 isnt a Finishing school,and Kimi is in the best team, with the best car,the best engineers, the best facilities, Not My Words the words of Torger and DC, or maybe F1 is a finishing school and Mercedes arent the best?
Putting children inF1 cars is ridiculous. The FIA should make the minimum age 21. There is a huge difference in maturity between 18 and 21. A bit like giving 16 yr olds the vote also ridiculous. Great things come to those that wait.
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