Mercedes confirms Antonelli's debut outing at Monza
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that the Brackley-based outfit's junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his official F1 outing at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix.
Since Lewis Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes, Italian sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been regularly mentioned as a potential replacement for the seven-time world champion.
The 18-year-old currently races in F2, and has been part of Mercedes junior driver programme.
While his future is still unsure, the Austrian has now confirmed that the Italian driver will drive for Mercedes in the opening practice session at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix.
Asked at Zandvoort whether Antonelli will finally make his maiden F1 outing on a race weekend, Wolff said: “That’s a good idea. Let’s do that.”
He continued: “It’s going to be a really emotional moment. We’ve followed him since he was 11 and a baby go-kart driver.
“To see him drive out on Friday in FP1, in Monza, in front of the tifosi, having an Italian kid in a competitive car…. I think that will be something that everybody in Italy can be very proud of.”
