Kimi Touted as Wolff’s Top Pick for Mercedes

In 2025, Wolff sees Antonelli making a promising F1 debut, while Kimi emerges as the preferred choice for Mercedes.

Toto Wolff now freely admits that Kimi Antonelli is his “first option” to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will be joining Ferrari from 2025.

Previously, Max Verstappen was clearly the top choice for the Mercedes F1 boss to partner with George Russell next year—but the triple World Champion now appears firmly bound by his contract with Red Bull at least until 2026.

Wolff said on Saturday, “One never knows. We have a young one coming up who is very strong.”

This young man is the 17-year-old Italian, Antonelli, a protégé groomed by Wolff who is gaining momentum in his first season in Formula 2.

“I will still continue to watch the market,” Wolff confides today. “I don’t know how things will evolve at Red Bull.”

“The criteria for our next driver are simple: we want the best driver available. At the moment, my first option is Kimi Antonelli.”

Some believe that Antonelli has already been informed that he has secured the seat, especially with Carlos Sainz now having signed a contract with Williams.

“Other drivers would sign a one or two-year contract, but that’s not enough for us. I am therefore happy to take a risk with Antonelli, as it’s a calculated risk.”

“If you look at the progress of Oscar Piastri, it took him a year and a half to compete for victories at the level of Lando Norris. We want to try and do the same with Kimi.”

“In 2025, with the changes of 2026, we will be in transition anyway. So, it’s a good season to integrate him into our team.”

“Of course, there are risks, but they are not so much linked to his driving talent. He would be exposed to the media and to the skills of George Russell, one of the best drivers on the grid. But Kimi has enormous potential. His speed and talent are already at a certain level, he just lacks experience.”

While Russell has already signed, Wolff now sees the positive side of Hamilton’s surprising decision earlier in the year to switch to the red suit for 2025 and beyond.

“I have always seen a driver’s departure as a new opportunity for the team. Change is a good thing, and it must be embraced.”

“When Lewis announced his news, I first wondered, ‘Why now and not mid-season?’ But he felt it was necessary not only for himself but also for the team.”

“We did not need to rush. We could wait to make the right decision.”