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Lando Norris has warned Andrea Kimi Antonelli that he faces a “steeper” introduction to Formula 1 than others.
Antonelli was finally confirmed as Mercedes’ second driver for the 2025 season ahead of last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. The 18-year-old will be one of three drivers debuting next season alongside Ollie Bearman and Jack Doohan. However, Norris believes that the Italian will face a harder initiation than many when he makes the jump next year.
Elected to the throne
Unlike his fellow rookies, Antonelli has the difficult task of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. After 12 years with the Silver Arrows, it was announced in February that the 39-year-old would be moving to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. The German team assessed their options for much longer than expected with Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen and even Sebastian Vettel all rumoured to be in the running for the seat. However, they opted with Antonelli, who has been one of their junior drivers since he was 13-years-old.
Building for the future ? pic.twitter.com/W1N4iFoCvW
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 31, 2024
Whilst the Italian’s selection has left many fans excited for next campaign, it has also been questioned whether he is ready for such a significant step up. Like Antonelli, Norris was also thrust into the limelight at a tender age, making his McLaren debut at just 19. although the British driver feels the rookie can also successfully adapt to F1, he warns that there will be pressure mounted on his shoulders. Speaking to media that included RacingNews365, Norris said:
“I’m sure it will be a steep learning curve for him, steeper than probably what most of us have ever had, which always comes with pressure and things like that.
“He’s proven himself a lot in the junior categories and coming up through. I think it’s a big jump to go from F4 to F2… so it’s not probably been easy on him, but to go from F2 and then straight to F1, it’s a lot.”
However, the 24-year-old also outlined that Antonelli will benefit from working with his teammate:
“As long as he copes with that well, learning from one of the best [George Russell] here [in F1] as his team-mate, then I’m sure he’ll be up to speed in no time.”
Making a name for himself
Since his transition from karting in 2021, Antonelli has had quite the ride to reach where he is today. To kick start his single-seater career, he competed in both the Italian Formula 4 and Formula 4 UAE Championships. During his first year he massively impressed, securing two race wins alongside eight additional podiums. However, he took that a step further the following year, winning both of those championships.
As a result, Antonelli was promoted to Formula Regional in which he competed with PREMA Racing. Once again, the Italian secured the title, this time in both the European and Middle East Formula Regional Championships. In 2024, Antonelli has continued with PREMA, however this time competing in Formula 2. In his rookie season, Antonelli has so far accumulated 99 points, winning both the Sprint Race at Silverstone and Feature Race in Hungary in the process.
His promising performances in F2 have perhaps been what has influenced Mercedes to recruit the 18-year-old and alongside the announcement, he was given his first taste of F1 action in Monza last weekend. Antonelli was set to complete the first free practice session for the Silver Arrows driving Russell’s W15. However, his experience lasted a matter of minutes as he lost control rounding the Parabolica and crashed into the barriers.
Full footage of Andrea Kimi Antonelli's crash in FP1!?#F1 #Formula1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/clFb8jHj9S
— Extreme Cars (@extremecars__) August 30, 2024
Making a good impression
Despite the accident, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff was left impressed by Antonelli’s brief performance. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the session, Wolff said:
“He’s a pleasure to watch. You can see the raw speed that he has. Going out there, blasting first lap, second lap. I think the speeds that he had in the Lesmo and Ascari were not matched any more in the session.
“I’d rather slow somebody down and calm him down than the other way around to make somebody quicker because the second one is not possible. So that’s part of the learning curve.”
"We'd rather have a problem slowing him down, than making him faster" ⚡
Toto Wolff reflects on Kimi Antonelli's BIG 45G crash in FP1 ? pic.twitter.com/sygWwgwPID
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 30, 2024
Although Antonelli had only 12 minutes of running time in Monza, it has been reported that he will get another chance to complete a practice session before his debut next year.
Feature Image Credit: (Photo by Peter Fox – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)