Mercedes and Ferrari warned over 'destroying' Antonelli and Bearman

Jenson Button is all for Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli competing in F1 next season as teenagers but has warned that if the duo are not managed correctly then it could "destroy" their careers.

It was recently announced that Bearman will complete the jump from F2 to F1 next season with Haas, whilst Prema team-mate Antonelli continues to be linked to Lewis Hamilton's seat at Mercedes. 

Even if Antonelli misses out on an F1 promotion for next season, the expectation is he will complete the move to the pinnacle of motorsport soon. 

Bearman will be 19 years old when he joins the F1 grid next year. He was just 18 when he completed his late debut in Saudi Arabia earlier this season after Carlos Sainz contracted appendicitis and required surgery. Antonelli, meanwhile, will be 18 in August. 

Button, who was only 20 when he made his competitive F1 debut in 2000, faced criticism that he was too young.

The 2009 F1 champion, however, came close to scoring a point on his maiden appearance as he was running sixth [the final points-paying position at the time] when he retired 11 laps from the conclusion of the Australian Grand Prix.

"I remember, even Martin Brundle said 'It's too young for him'," Button told select media including RacingNews365. 

"But it was right to say that I was very young I had hardly any testing because the engines kept blowing up. 

"So I didn't have enough mileage to get a super licence but they gave me it. I went and crashed in Melbourne in practice, and it was like 'See, we told you!'.

 "And then I was running in sixth in the race before the engine blew up. So I could have scored points in my first F1 race."

Button highlights huge risks

Button believes that when offered the chance to complete a move to F1, teenage drivers need to jump at the opportunity. 

That is what Bearman has done, whilst Antonelli has completed several tests for Mercedes. 

The former Brawn GP driver does not believe he was promoted to F1 too soon and has encouraged teenage drivers to accept an offer should one come their way. 

Button has warned, though, if a team does not manage the pressure on their young drivers of being a teenager in F1 then there could be consequences. 

"I don't think it was too early, I think you have to take every opportunity when it comes to you, especially for youngsters at 17, 18 or 19," said Button. "You can't say no!

"But the teams, I think they need to really think about what they're doing to a driver in his career at that age.

"If he blossoms great, but with the pressures that this sport brings, it can destroy a driver's career as well. So there's a real balance there and teams need to be careful with it."