Andrea Kimi Antonelli has expressed that his competitive instincts will have him gunning for the win on his Formula 1 debut in 2025, despite admitting that he must be “realistic”.
Antonelli is preparing to embark upon his rookie campaign in the sport, having been selected to succeed seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who has moved to Ferrari.
The Italian had long been regarded as the obvious replacement and Mercedes had put him through a rigorous testing programme across last season to assess his credentials.
That has culminated in Antonelli amassing close to 9000 kilometres in F1 machinery – including two FP1 sessions in 2024 – ahead of his debut race in Australia next month.
Mercedes, though, has acknowledged that Antonelli’s meteoric ascent to F1 will ensure that more accidents like his crash at Monza will be a sporadic occurrence through 2025.
But while the German marque’s attention is on ensuring he is up to speed once new rules are introduced in 2026, Antonelli is striving to be on the pace from the outset.
Antonelli has acknowledged that a steep learning curve awaits, but he’s denied that he has additional pressure on his shoulders from taking the seat an all-time great held.
“First of all, we’ll see in the first race how I feel, also speed-wise and how I adapt as well, but of course, it is a big seat,” Antonelli told RacingNews365.
“But I don’t feel like the replacement of Lewis, I just feel like the next Mercedes driver, but it is a big responsibility because I am racing for Mercedes, it is a great opportunity and I’ll try to make the best out of it.
“My mindset is going to be the one of going [to Australia] and try to win, but at the same time, you have to be realistic.
“I’m racing against the other 19 best drivers in the world, so it is not going to be easy, but I am just focused on the work I have to do, trying to do the best job possible, learn as much as possible and see where we end up.
“I’m just focusing on the day-by-day, on the preparation I have to do with the team, and with [race engineer Peter Bonnington].
“It is going well and I’m really looking forward to the first race.”
Russell backed to be suitable partner to Antonelli
Antonelli will partner George Russell, who has acknowledged that his role within the team has changed as he begins his seventh season in the sport and fourth at Mercedes.
The Briton is endeavouring to build upon a promising campaign as he outqualified Hamilton 18 times in 24 rounds en route to outscoring his illustrious compatriot in 2024.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is convinced that Russell has all the tools to win a title in the right car and believes that he will serve to provide a strong benchmark for Antonelli.
“George has it all that you need to be a World Champion,” Wolff told Sky Sports.
“He (Russell) has developed and matured and that is clearly something that Kimi is going to benefit.
“And for George, I mean, Kimi has raw speed and talent. We wouldn’t have taken him otherwise. So these two are going to push each other and that’s good.”
READ MORE – Mercedes: Kimi Antonelli’s F2 experience will help him navigate F1 hardships
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