Antonelli completes first Merc F1 test

Mercedes protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli has completed his maiden Formula 1 test at the Red Bull Ring in the 2021 W12.

Antonelli, who is competing in Formula 2 with Prema Racing this season, is being readied by Mercedes with a view to potentially replacing Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025. The 17-year-old Italian is set for a rigorous testing programme in two-year-old Mercedes machinery at a variety of European circuits.

Antonelli’s run-out in Austria (above), in which he completed 500 kilometres over two days, was an acclimatisation test before he is thrown into the Brackley squad’s more relevant but flawed 2022 ground-effect car, which is trickier to drive.

“It’s been an incredible experience,” said Antonelli.

“It was great to feel the power and downforce. I loved every second of it. It was really good fun and I want to thank all the team for their hard work.”

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff indicated that the team’s likely inability to fight for world championships in 2025 could boost the cause of Antonelli, who could gain experience without the pressure of racing for wins.

Antonelli will return to F2 action at Imola next month. He sits ninth in the standings in his rookie season alongside Prema team-mate Ollie Bearman, who starred on his F1 race debut in Jeddah with Ferrari.