One of Carlos Sainz’s rivals for the tire at Mercedes does not see it: “I don’t know if I’m ready”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Only 17 years old (he turns 18 on August 25), he is one of the good options Mercedes needs to replace the departure of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 and become the star’s official driver in his F1 debut next year in the star team. Mercedes He wanted to be faithful to his quarry, as he had known Toto Wolff to MD weeks ago, but the Austrian himself pointed out in that interview to this newspaper that if they could not sign Verstappen nor choose to raise the young Italian, Sainz “an opportunity”. Maybe that’s the reason why Carlos Sainz It continues to delay its decision for 2025.

Kimi He is making his debut in F2 and does not dominate with an iron fist, he needs to improve, and although last Sunday he gave a performance by winning his first test in Sunday F2 in Hungarythe young man is truthful: “Formula 1? Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ready. I still make mistakes, I’m learning.”.

Your second half of the course will be key for you Mercedes decide Let’s see how long he decides to wait. Carlos Sainz.

And, despite his great victory on Sunday, the day before Andrea made many mistakes in the sprint race, with several braking passes after taking a risk and starting on soft rubber. In addition to this tire management, Kimi He still lacked speed in one lap. He needs to improve that consistency and he doesn’t feel ready yet. And on the other side, Mercedes has a free driver like Carlos, fast, good car developer and important for Mercedes to choose for 2025 Constructors’ World Cup in such an even F1 and with so many teams at the top. He needs two top drivers and the question is whether Antonelli can be consistent and quick from the start.

“I don’t want to think about next year, because there is nothing official. I don’t know anything, to be honest (he also won the sprint race on Saturday at the previous Silverstone event). To get two wins in Formula 2 is good from the point of view from a psychological perspective after a difficult start to the season,” argued the Bologna.

More liberated

For now, Andrea Kimi Antonelli It focuses on his current performance on the track. And in that sense, he claims to feel better from his previous race. Silverstone.

“The pressure is reduced race after race. This weekend my mind is clearer and I ride more naturally, without thinking about the result. This victory is a great relief,” argument on Sunday in Hungary.

“The victory at Silverstone was in the wet, while what we suffered was the speed of the race in the dry. I’m happy with the progress and the way I’ve grown as a driver. I’m trying not to repeat the same thing, not to do the same things mistake.”he added.