Antonelli Mercedes promotion to heal 'wounded' Wolff

F1 commentator Alex Jacques believes Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is eager to promote Andrea Kimi Antonelli to avoid becoming "wounded" again, like he was after missing out on signing Max Verstappen in 2014. 

Wolff had tried to sign Verstappen prior to the Dutchman joining Red Bull, although lost out to the Milton Keynes-based team. 

Mercedes' young junior driver has been described by many as the greatest talent since Verstappen, and is expected to be promoted by the Silver Arrows to replace Lewis Hamilton. 

Should it happen, Antonelli would be lining-up on the F1 grid at just 18 years old, the age Verstappen was when he claimed his first victory on his debut for Red Bull in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

"One man who is certain about Antonelli’s early F1 promotion is Toto Wolff," wrote Jacques on the official F1 website. 

"The CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes believes in the young Italian not just as a driver but as an avenger.

"Wolff was wounded by missing out on Max Versteppen in 2014. Outmanoeuvred by Red Bull, Wolff is reminded of his failure every single time the Dutchman wins. 

"Having watched Verstappen take 51 wins since March 2021, the resolution to never let another such talent escape can only have hardened."

Mercedes avoiding risk

As proven in the past, if Mercedes opted against promoting Antonelli next season, other teams could swoop in for the Italian. 

Lando Norris previously received offers from Red Bull earlier in his career despite being firmly part of McLaren's F1 plans, whilst the Woking-based team snatched at the chance to sign Oscar Piastri after the Australian's management became concerned with Alpine's plans. 

Mercedes is already testing Antonelli in older F1 machinery, with the PREMA F2 driver having tested the Brackley-based team's 2021 car and most recently its 2022 car. 

Antonelli is being put through an extensive F1 testing programme alongside his F2 commitments, with Wolff's eagerness to promote the Italian driver ending any chance of another team becoming interested. 

"History tells us other teams will seize on any hesitation," Jacques continued. "Lando Norris was firmly part of McLaren’s programme since 2018 and yet received constant offers from Red Bull.

"Oscar Piastri’s management did not rate Alpine’s plan to place the Australian at Williams for two seasons. McLaren’s offer of a race seat led to a switch.

"Wolff’s earnestness for Antonelli’s promotion removes any opportunity for poaching and to prepare the young Italian, Mercedes have enrolled him in an extensive testing regime similar to that of Piastri in 2022.

"First with the 2021 car at Red Bull Ring; then with the 2022 ground effect machine at Catalunya and most recently at Spa."