Mercedes has meticulously orchestrated a two-day testing program for its highly-touted junior driver set to unfold in Austria, kicking off on April 16th. This test stint will see the 17-year-old prodigy assuming control of the 2021 Mercedes W12, marking the onset of a series of Formula 1 outings planned for him throughout the year.
The objective behind these sessions is to groom the young talent for a prospective ascent into Formula 1, complementing his ongoing endeavors in the Formula 2 championship with Prema Racing.
The upcoming test holds pivotal significance, serving as a litmus test to gauge Antonelli’s developmental trajectory this season. Mercedes, in turn, is carefully evaluating his potential candidacy for a Formula 1 promotion, especially considering the vacant seat left by Lewis Hamilton, awaiting fulfillment for the 2025 season and beyond.
The pathways for Antonelli’s future in Formula 1 are diverse. Mercedes may contemplate embedding him within a customer team or extending his Formula 2 tenure for another season. Antonelli’s leapfrogging from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine directly into Formula 2 underscores his meteoric ascent through the motorsport ranks.
Antonelli’s recent showing in Melbourne, where he clinched a commendable fourth place in the feature race after starting from second on the grid, has significantly bolstered his standing in the Formula 2 championship. Meanwhile, his teammate Oliver Bearman secured his maiden point following a highly-publicized F1 debut with Ferrari in Jeddah.
With the next Formula 2 race slated not until the Imola round in May, Antonelli finds himself within an opportune window to partake in Formula 1 testing activities.
In the current Formula 2 championship standings, Rodin driver and Sauber junior Zane Maloney commands the lead after three rounds, with Paul Aron and Dennis Hauger in close pursuit.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remains methodical in his approach towards filling the void for the 2025 season, hinting at a plethora of prospective options. Wolff emphasized his intent to comprehensively assess the driver market, taking into account variables such as the future decisions of key drivers like Max Verstappen.
Furthermore, in adherence to Formula 1’s testing regulations pertaining to previous car specifications, Mercedes is afforded the liberty to conduct tests with 2022-spec machinery commencing this year. This regulatory adaptation extends the opportunity for Antonelli to acquaint himself with Mercedes’ 2022 W13 in forthcoming tests, offering valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of Formula 1 machinery.
