Toto Wolff, Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, announced a significant shift in Mercedes’ strategy for the 2025 season, focusing on nurturing young talent, particularly driver Kimi Antonelli. This move clarifies Mercedes’ future driver lineup and signals a new era prioritizing youth and innovation.
Wolff emphasized the team’s commitment to developing new talent, highlighting Antonelli’s impressive testing performances at Imola and Silverstone. While a contract has not yet been signed, Wolff explicitly ruled out incorporating Carlos Sainz into the 2025 lineup, dispelling widespread speculation.
“We just want to focus on Kimi; this is our future, the young drivers,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1, as quoted by RacingNews365. Addressing rumors that Antonelli outperformed current Mercedes driver George Russell and test participant Mick Schumacher, Wolff dismissed these claims as exaggerations, explaining that the tests were designed to follow specific developmental agendas rather than prioritize lap times.
“Some claims that Kimi was faster than George and much faster than Mick are absolutely nonsense. All three had different agendas,” he clarified. “Both Kimi and Mick completed the program we gave them, and the performances were exactly what we expected. George was by far the fastest, as he should be, but it wasn’t about setting fast times.”
Meanwhile, the narrative around Carlos Sainz has shifted towards Williams, with former Mercedes strategist and current Williams team member James Vowles hinting at a significant potential acquisition.
“Williams is not the same as three years ago. And by definition, the fact that we spoke with Carlos shows that we have changed our approach,” Vowles commented, as quoted by Crash.net. “We want two top-level drivers to be part of our team in the future. We want the world to realize that we are serious and investing to return to the front lines.”
Securing Sainz, according to Vowles, would signify a rejuvenated image and competitive resurgence for Williams.
“The world is changing, and a driver like Carlos is very important in this sense regarding the general picture of our situation. Of course, the difference is that he has the choice to come here or not. The choice is up to him. I think it’s an easy decision to come here. But he has to be the one to take it.”
