Mercedes has officially confirmed that 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli will race alongside George Russell next season, marking one of the most anticipated rookie debuts in Formula 1 history. However, team principal Toto Wolff revealed that other options, including three-time World Champion Max Verstappen, were also under consideration for 2025.
Earlier this year, speculation swirled about who might fill the second seat at Mercedes, with names like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz being mentioned. However, Wolff frequently brought up Verstappen as a potential candidate, raising eyebrows in the F1 community. Initially, Wolff’s mentions of Verstappen were seen as a tactic to unsettle Red Bull, who were grappling with internal issues despite their continued dominance with the RB20.
As the season progressed, Mercedes’ W15 car became increasingly competitive, securing multiple race wins. This shift made the idea of Verstappen joining Mercedes seem more plausible, although a deal was never close to being finalized. Wolff admitted that Verstappen was a genuine target but emphasized the team’s commitment to Antonelli and Russell for the immediate future.
“We were discussing other options, and the Max idea couldn’t be discounted completely, considering what was happening at Red Bull,” Wolff told the media in Italy. “This is a pressure cooker environment, and while there was some consideration, we are fully focused on George and Kimi for the upcoming seasons.”
Looking ahead, Wolff remained open about the possibility of future discussions with drivers outside the current lineup but stressed that his priority is on 2024 and 2025.
“There’s no discussion, there’s no second thoughts about what we’re doing in 2026—right now, it’s all about 2024 and 2025,” Wolff said. “If any outside interest arises, our drivers will be the first to know when those conversations happen.”
With Antonelli set to debut, the focus at Mercedes will be on nurturing the young talent alongside Russell while keeping an eye on the potential long-term acquisition of Verstappen.