Wolff: Bottas will serve as a mentor to Antonelli in 2025.
In 2025, one of Valtteri Bottas’ responsibilities will be to mentor rookie Formula 1 driver and Toto Wolff mentee, Kimi Antonelli. After losing his seat at Audi-owned Sauber, the Finn was brought on board by his former team principal Wolff to be the main reserve driver for Mercedes this season. This move not only displaced Mick Schumacher from the role but also pushed aside another current Mercedes reserve, 23-year-old Frederic Vesti.
The Dane expressed his frustration over Antonelli, who is just 18, being named as Lewis Hamilton’s successor. "This season, there are five rookies in Formula 1," Vesti remarked to the Danish broadcaster DR, "and I’ve outperformed four of them in F2. It's extremely frustrating to be on the sidelines watching people who I don’t believe deserve it as much as I do," he continued. "But it serves as motivation for me, proving that I really can achieve it."
Team principal Wolff sees this as a fantastic chance for Mercedes to utilize the expertise of seasoned race winner Bottas. "A part of Valtteri’s role will be to support Kimi," he stated. "To be present, to mentor him, and to consistently monitor what is occurring on the track."
Despite Antonelli being quite young, Wolff is committed to ensuring that the Italian not only steps up as the suitable replacement for Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari, but also has the opportunity to excel. "I can't make the same mistake I did with (Max) Verstappen, who ended up at Red Bull," the Austrian shared with La Repubblica newspaper. "Preparations with Kimi are progressing well but have been in the works for many years. I will support him for as long as necessary. Kimi will learn from both Valtteri and George Russell."
"George is often overlooked," Wolff added. "We have an experienced driver who has won races alongside this promising young talent. At the same time, Lewis is charting his own path, seeking something new. I believe it’s been a refreshing experience for both parties. When I spoke about Kimi with the CEO, he expressed excitement saying, 'This is so thrilling - let’s begin working with the next generation.'"
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