Helmut Marko spoke about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival in F1 and why neither Crimson Bull nor Ferrari tried to method him.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive for Mercedes within the 2025 System 1 championship, when he’ll change Lewis Hamilton, however Helmut Marko revealed some behind-the-scenes particulars about Ferrari and Crimson Bull. In response to the Crimson Bull super-consultant, the younger driver from Bologna was by no means on Milton Keynes’ radar. Quite the opposite, Ferrari may have had the precedence to signal him, however that didn’t occur, paving the best way for Toto Wolff and Mercedes.
Mercedes selected Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will change Lewis Hamilton beginning in 2025. The announcement was formally confirmed a number of weeks in the past, following months of rumors within the paddock that typically noticed him very near signing, typically parked in Williams, and at different occasions nonetheless in System 2. The Italian’s future is now set, and his debut within the first free apply session at Monza was only a style of what’s to come back.
His path to System 1 has been comparatively brief in comparison with different drivers, however it’s undoubtedly marked by success. From his karting days, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has proven distinctive expertise, comparable, in accordance with some, to Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, as Helmut Marko revealed, he may not have impressed everybody when he was youthful.
“On the time, he was racing with Tony Kart, which cooperated with Ferrari,” the Austrian defined on the Inside Line F1 podcast. “However you may’t signal each driver! Ferrari clearly didn’t signal Antonelli, regardless of having the precedence over others. I’m not very knowledgeable about his specifics, however I do know he’s had a whole lot of time in F1 vehicles. If somebody has expertise and a group has sufficient braveness…” – the Crimson Bull boss identified.
“We confirmed with Max [Verstappen] that it’s the suitable method: somebody is transferring up within the junior classes and has expertise? Put them within the automotive!” Helmut Marko concluded, suggesting that Verstappen’s success probably influenced Mercedes’ resolution.
Supply: f1ingenerale
Sep 8, 2024
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