Toto Wolff told to change his Lewis Hamilton replacement plan as concern raised

15 May 2024 , 08:08

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Toto Wolff has been told to change his Lewis Hamilton replacement plan (Image: Getty Images)

Seventeen-year-old sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli is not ready to replace Lewis Hamilton and should not be handed the Mercedes seat next season.

That is according to former world champion Nico Rosberg, who has urged Toto Wolff to reconsider any plans to hand Antonelli a drive with the Mercedes team because it is "too early" for him.

Wolff is still searching for a replacement for Hamilton after he announced his decision back in February to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. Having been a long-time member of Mercedes' young driver programme, Antonelli is someone believed to be on their shortlist.

Rosberg praised the potential of Antonelli, who made his Formula 2 debut with Prema Racing earlier this year, but believes the timing is not right for him to make the jump to Formula 1. He has raised the idea of him joining Williams for a season like Mercedes star George Russell did.

"Antonelli is definitely a superstar of the future. But unfortunately the timing is too early for him," Rosberg told Sky Germany. "And [it is] too early for Toto to choose Antonelli."

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Rosberg added: "That's asking a lot, because he hasn’t shown anything in Formula 2 yet. That's the minimum requirement to do well in Formula 2 in order to be considered for Formula 1. Therefore, Toto has to take his time with this strategy and wait until summer or autumn for the decision."

Antonelli is not the only driver being considered for the Mercedes seat, with a sensational return to F1 for Sebastian Vettel reported as a short-term option if he wants to come out of retirement. A return for Valtteri Bottas has not been discounted should he quit Sauber.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is being lined up for an F1 seat (Getty Images)

Carlos Sainz has also been regarded as a candidate, with the Spaniard being left without a drive for next season after Ferrari completed a deal to sign Hamilton. However, Rosberg has raised doubts over the move due to his potential demands for a long-term contract, which would block Antonelli's way into the team.

"He [Sainz] probably wants a multi-year contract and that doesn't make much sense from Mercedes' point of view," Rosberg said. "That's what makes it so difficult and that’s why Toto is looking closely at how things are going with Antonelli."

Speaking about who he might chose to replace Hamilton, Wolff told back in March: "You know, as much as we were taken aback by Lewis’ decision so quickly, now I really want to take my time.

"We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams, unless Max [Verstappen] decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore. There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from the very young super-talent to some of the older ones who are very experienced."

Kieran King