Lina WilliamsIn a surprising twist for F1’s 2025 grid, Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman are eyed as potential new drivers, despite this year’s rookie absence.
One of them might be Kimi Antonelli, who is considered by many as the second choice of his mentor Toto Wolff, after Max Verstappen, to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1 next year.
When asked in Melbourne, Wolff said he was almost certain the young Italian would eventually be in F1, adding: “But I don’t know if it will be next year and if it will be with us.”
Indeed, strong rumors suggest that plans are already underway for Antonelli to replace Logan Sargeant, who is still struggling at Williams. The Mercedes-powered team is now led by Wolff’s former right-hand man, James Vowles.
“We need to see how much Logan progresses over the season,” Vowles stated.
“As for Antonelli and the early rumors, what I can say is that I believe in investing in youth, but we are also fortunate to have our own juniors.”
“I have no doubt that Kimi will be in F1, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be at Williams.”
“Far too early” to confirm Bearman’s arrival
As for the other potential young recruit for 2025, it could be Ferrari’s 18-year-old junior, Oliver Bearman, who is Antonelli’s teammate at this year’s top Formula 2 team, Prema.
The Brit impressed while driving a Ferrari when he last-minute replaced Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia – and is now strongly linked to a Haas F1 – Ferrari seat for 2025.
In Melbourne, Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur echoed Nico Hülkenberg’s viewpoint (read here), stressing that it’s “far too early” to predict a “certain” F1 career for Bearman.
“We must not jump to conclusions about Ollie because it’s far too early.”
“Now, he needs to focus on F2 and I’m sure all journalists, the press, etc., will draw a conclusion after the end of the championship, if he doesn’t win F2, but we need to take it step by step.”
“He performed very well in Jeddah. He will have the opportunity to do more FP1s throughout the season. He will do some testing and so on but the main goal for him is also to become champion in F2.”
F1 2025: Antonelli and Bearman Eye Seats. F1 2025: Antonelli and Bearman Eye Seats
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