Mercedes issued Oscar Piastri example in F1 driver line-up decision

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has backed Mercedes to retain its current line-up for the coming years as he pointed to Oscar Piastri's growth as a potential boost for Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli was called up to drive alongside George Russell at the Brackley-based outfit this year following the exit of Lewis Hamilton.

Russell has stepped up to a team leader role, but his place in the team has been questioned amid reports linking Max Verstappen with a move to the squad.

Russell has enjoyed a strong start to the year with three podiums in the opening five rounds lifting him to third in the drivers' championship.

“He's got to be up there this year,” Chandhok told Sky F1 when asked about the top performers at the start of the year. 

“If today, we had to pick your top performers of the first five weekends, you'd probably go Piastri, Verstappen and Russell as your top three.

“He's been outstanding, George, this year. Toto sort of batted it away at the weekend and said, ‘We've got our two drivers. It's peaceful’.

“There’s no real baggage in terms of having Russell and Antonelli. It’s a low-stress situation.

“If Max is an option, you can't ever ignore it.”

Toto Wolff to take 'comfort' from Oscar Piastri growth

Having voiced his support for Russell to retain a drive at Mercedes, Chandhok does not see any movement for Antonelli, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

Antonelli has been backed by Mercedes for several years and is seen as a long-term project for the squad.

With current championship leader Oscar Piastri displaying strong growth across his first three seasons in F1, Chandhok believes Wolff will be consoled that Antonelli will likely also need time to reach his potential.

“Toto probably takes some comfort in the way Oscar's progressed in the last two years, because it shows actually how difficult it is for a rookie still,” Chandhok added.

“Not in terms of outright speed, but in terms of tyres management and all the other stuff that goes with being an F1 driver.

“The step Oscar made between 2023 into 2024 and then 2024 to 2025 - if Antonelli does similar steps, then George and Antonelli is a is a strong enough lineup.

“It’s probably going to cost him a lot less than if he had to pay Max a lot of zeros.”