Carlos Sainz has a contract with Ferrari until the end of this year. The Canadian Grand Prix weekend marked the end of Mercedes’ saga in 2025. Wolff confirmed that the team is now exclusively focused on developing young drivers. Since Ferrari announced their plans for 2025, Carlos Sainz has been linked to a possible move to Mercedes. Many believed he would be the favorite to replace Hamilton. However, after eight rounds in the current season, Wolff and his team decided to concentrate on developing young talents, including Antonelli.
Wolff informed Sainz about this change in strategy. Antonelli is a 17-year-old driver from Prema F2 and a Mercedes youngster. Like Sainz, he has been highlighted as a possible driver for the German team in 2025. He has also taken part in several private tests with Mercedes during the current season.
Although Carlos Sainz is no longer in the running for the 2025 Mercedes seat, Antonelli impressed in the private tests. Recently, he took part in a three-way test alongside Russell and another driver.
However, it is important to note that the goals of the three drivers during the test were quite different. Taking into consideration all the information discussed, it is evident that Antonelli is in a favorable position to secure the coveted spot at Mercedes in 2025 alongside Russell. However, the Italian driver still needs to perform well in F2 to secure his entry into the pinnacle of motorsport at the start of the 2025 F1 season. Many will be closely monitoring Antonelli’s performances in F2 going forward.