Andrea Kimi Antonelli believed that he had no fear of underperforming at Mercedes and facing criticism for his subpar performances. The move to Ferrari by Kimi Antonelli has left a vacant spot at Mercedes, which is yet to be filled. The decision to find a replacement for Hamilton is not being rushed, but Kimi Antonelli remains one of the top contenders for the position. The Italian driver has recently expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that he is not afraid of being judged.
The news of Kimi Antonelli potentially joining Mercedes caused quite a stir, although there has been no official confirmation from the team. The FIA has made exceptions for 17-year-olds to participate in the sport, specifically for Antonelli. In light of this, Antonelli spoke about his debut with Mercedes and emphasized that he is not afraid of judgment. He acknowledged that Brackley has a clear opinion about his abilities and performances, and he didn’t shy away from admitting that his 2024 season in the Formula 2 championship did not start off well.
If Kimi Antonelli were to secure a seat in Formula 1 with Mercedes, it would be a highly coveted opportunity for the Italian driver to compete against the best. While he does have some concerns about performing at a high level, Antonelli sees it as a chance to learn, develop, and embrace the moment. Mercedes will need to continue improving their performance in the 2024 season to provide Antonelli with a strong foundation to begin with. Brackley has shown promising progress and is expected to bring excitement to the upcoming season due to the alleged rookie season of the Italian driver with the German team.
Photo from Andrea Kimi Antonelli Instagram