Dr. Helmut Marko reveals Ferrari and Red Bull passed on rising star Kimi Antonelli, changing his career path.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull consultant and head of their young driver program, discussed how Kimi Antonelli’s future could have been different.
The talented young man, present at Monza with Mercedes F1 for Free Practice 1, will succeed Lewis Hamilton in 2025 (the announcement is imminent), a move of great courage by a team that has until now preferred experienced drivers.
Moreover, Mercedes F1 faced setbacks in FP1 with Antonelli crashing within the first 10 minutes.
“He was under immense pressure driving in his home country for the first time in a Formula 1 car. He was immediately pushing for times. Perhaps it was too much for him,” said Marko.
Marko emphasized that Red Bull – with a well-stocked junior driver program – never had the chance to consider recruiting Antonelli. However, he suggests that Ferrari missed out and chose not to sign him.
“He was driving for Tony Kart. Tony Kart has cooperated with Ferrari in the past. Ferrari did not take Antonelli into their academy even though they had the first choice. Then with us… but we can’t have every driver with us!”
“And it was ultimately Mercedes who signed him. And now, yes, let’s see. He has done very well in his career, but let’s see what he does in Formula 1.”
Antonelli was promoted to Formula 2 this season by Mercedes, where he won a sprint race and a feature race.
But replacing Hamilton in Formula 1 at a top team is a major challenge.
“I am not very knowledgeable about the details concerning Antonelli. I know he has done a lot of testing in a Formula 1 car. If someone has the talent and the team is bold enough to do it, then it makes sense.”
Mercedes’ confidence in Antonelli echoes Red Bull’s decision to support a certain Max Verstappen, who also skipped the traditional steps to his F1 debut.
Verstappen, racing for a fourth consecutive title, has justified Red Bull’s bold decision.
“We showed it with Max. It’s the right approach. If someone comes along and they have the talent, put them in the car.”
“Red Bull’s approach with Max, for sure, helped them make their decision about Antonelli.”
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Antonelli Skipped by Ferrari and Red Bull Antonelli Skipped by Ferrari and Red Bull
