Former champion Nico Rosberg thinks Lewis Hamilton has forced Mercedes into a difficult position by announcing early that he is leaving. In the German’s view, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is not an option and they will have to offer Carlos Sainz a multi-year deal to get him on board. Both situations are not ideal, according to the single world champion.
Rosberg previously said that he thought too much pressure was being put on Antonelli due to the rumors about a seat at Mercedes. According to Rosberg, it is better that he spends a year at Williams instead of immediately switching to Mercedes. “Antonelli is certainly a star of the future, but the timing would be too early for him now,” the German told Sky Sports. “And it’s too early for Toto to pick Antonelli now.” The 17-year-old still has to prove himself in Formula 2 at Prema. However, the start of the season was very disappointing for Prema. Antonelli is currently ninth in the championship with 24 points and achieved his best result to date with a fourth place in the Melbourne main race.
Mercedes is preparing Antonelli for Formula 1, given that he is currently getting some test days in a Formula 1 car. If he wasn’t considered a 2025 candidate, this wouldn’t happen. “But then you ask a lot of him, because he has not yet shown anything in Formula 2. That is the minimum requirement to do well in Formula 2, to be eligible for Formula 1,” says Rosberg. “That’s why Toto has to take his time and wait until summer or autumn.” But waiting too long is not an option either. “Then he will have no alternative at the end of the year, that’s the difficult part,” Rosberg admits. However, the German racing team has a few other options.
Sainz would like a multi-year deal
According to Rosberg, Mercedes would benefit more from putting a driver with more experience next to George Russell. His preference is Sainz. “But he probably wants a multi-year contract, and that doesn’t make much sense from Mercedes’ point of view,” says Rosberg. “That’s what makes it so difficult, and that’s why Toto is keeping a close eye on how Antonelli is doing.” Rosberg points out that it is also possible to look for a suitable second driver, because Wolff has already appointed Russell as leader. “Either way, Lewis has put Mercedes in a difficult position.”
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