Mercedes are still evaluating their driver options for 2025. Kimi Antonelli remains a leading candidate to join the Silver Arrows, but this is not a foregone conclusion. Mercedes are expected to keep things open in the upcoming weeks and months. Over the past few days, Toto Wolff has shed some light on the decision-making process at Brackley.
For the first time in 2024, the W15 fought for victory in Canada. This meant that, unlike in the opening rounds, Toto Wolff could speak from a position of strength on the development plan being implemented in Brackley.
This marks a welcome change for the Mercedes team principal. Up until now, his media interviews this year have primarily consisted of analysing who could partner George Russell next season. Instead, his three days in Montreal were centred around the prospect of consistently fighting for victories.
Still, even with this welcome change in topics, there are still unanswered questions about Wolff’s 2025 line-up.
TOTO WOLFF: MERCEDES YET TO FINALISE 2025 PLANS
With reports emerging about Kimi Antonelli, the 52-year-old maintains that nothing is set in stone:
“We haven’t made a decision yet because there are still one or two people who might be interesting,” motorsport-total quotes him as saying.
This statement is consistent with the idea that, at least for now, Mercedes have not pulled the trigger on Antonelli.
Toto Wolff during the FIA Formula One World Championship 2023 in Spielberg, Austria on June 30, 2023 // Lucas Pripfl / Red Bull Ring // SI202306300923 // Usage for editorial use only //
For all the team’s confidence in the Italian driver, he is still only seventeen years old. Waiting for the Formula 2 campaign to evolve (alongside a rigorous testing programme) seems like the most sensible approach.
Of course, there are not a plethora of alternatives in the market. With Carlos Sainz understood to be out of the picture, it is unclear who else is on the Mercedes radar.
This is not to suggest someone like Esteban Ocon, for example, would be incapable of doing a respectable job for the Silver Arrows.
However, up until now, Toto Wolff has only suggested ‘big names’ like Verstappen or (earlier in the season) Alonso for 2025. The 52-year-old could have easily mentioned the likes of Nico Hulkenberg as viable options when the year began.
Because of this, it is difficult to envisage who else could join Mercedes in 2025. In any case, it is important not to jump the gun.
Kimi Antonelli is perhaps the favourite, but a lot can change over the next few months.
