Helmut Marko spoke about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival in F1 and why neither Purple Bull nor Ferrari tried to strategy him.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive for Mercedes within the 2025 Method 1 championship, when he’ll substitute Lewis Hamilton, however Helmut Marko revealed some behind-the-scenes particulars about Ferrari and Purple Bull. In line with the Purple 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 way in which for Toto Wolff and Mercedes.
Mercedes selected Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will substitute Lewis Hamilton beginning in 2025. The announcement was formally confirmed a couple 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 Method 2. The Italian’s future is now set, and his debut within the first free observe session at Monza was only a style of what’s to come back.
His path to Method 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 response to some, to Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, as Helmut Marko revealed, he won’t 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’ll be able to’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 lots of time in F1 automobiles. If somebody has expertise and a crew has sufficient braveness…” – the Purple Bull boss identified.
“We confirmed with Max [Verstappen] that it’s the appropriate strategy: somebody is shifting up within the junior classes and has expertise? Put them within the automotive!” Helmut Marko concluded, suggesting that Verstappen’s success doubtless influenced Mercedes’ resolution.
Supply: f1ingenerale
Sep 8, 2024
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