Mercedes has moved to quash rumours that Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s recent Formula 1 test outing at Silverstone was a “shootout” to determine its 2025 driver pairing.
Antonelli has been dovetailing his maiden campaign in Formula 2 with various tests in previous Mercedes cars as he prepares to graduate to the top tier in the future.
The Italian sampled the 2021 Mercedes car at the Red Bull Ring prior to getting his first experience with a latest-spec ground effect car, the W13, at Imola last month.
Antonelli’s testing programme continued earlier this month at the British Grand Prix’s home venue with full-time driver George Russell and reserve Mick Schumacher.
That prompted reports in the Italian media to publish that Antonelli, 17, matched Russell’s times under low-fuel conditions and was stronger than him on longer runs.
However, Mercedes has now clarified that the three individuals present were conducting alternative run plans and it was not an outing to compare Antonelli to Russell.
“Ahead of the weekend, a short note to confirm that our next TPC (Testing of Previous Car) test will be held in Barcelona next week with Mick and Kimi driving the W13 (2022 car),” a Mercedes statement began.
“Perhaps understandably, given these are private tests, there has been a lot of speculation around their purpose and content.
“Our most recent TPC test in Silverstone included Mick, Kimi and George. It was incorrectly labelled a “shootout”, which was neither the intention nor the findings of the running.
“It’s important to understand that each driver completed different programmes, on different days, in different track and weather conditions.
“Unfortunately, unverified speculation has led to conclusions and comparisons being published that do not reflect what happened.
“Both Mick and Kimi have done an excellent job delivering their respective programmes, to the complete satisfaction of the team, and we are looking forward to three busy days of running next week, too.”
Antonelli is considered the leading choice to partner Russell at the German marque in 2025 unless boss Toto Wolff manages to prise Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
Russell, who has reiterated on several occasions that he is prepared to go up against whichever driver is chosen, has given his blessing to Antonelli getting the drive.
“He’s a fantastic driver and is no doubt going to be a Formula 1 driver in future,” Russell said at Imola.
“[Antonelli] makes for a great opportunity for Mercedes building into the future.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who will depart Mercedes at the end of this term to pursue a new venture with Ferrari, has backed Antonelli to take over his current seat.
“Honestly I have no idea what Toto’s plans are but for me, taking on a youngster… If it was my job, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi,” Hamilton claimed.
Antonelli could stand to embark upon his debut in F1 prior to next season should Williams’ request to exempt him from the FIA’s minimum age ruling be successful.
Nevertheless, the Prema F2 representative will turn 18 on August 25 and would be eligible to replace the under-pressure Logan Sargeant from the Dutch Grand Prix.
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