Toto Wolff has confirmed Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive for Mercedes within the opening F1 follow session at this weekend’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
Antonelli will drive in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes within the first 60 minutes of follow on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday.
As per F1’s rules, all 10 groups are permitted to provide rookie drivers two outings throughout the 2024 marketing campaign.
Antonelli changed George Russell in FP1 at Monza, however crashed closely early on.
The 18-year-old Italian will get one other alternative to drive the W15 as he prepares to make his F1 debut subsequent yr.
Antonelli has been chosen as Hamilton’s successor, with the seven-time world champion becoming a member of Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc.
Forward of the weekend, Wolff mentioned: “With its excessive altitude, Mexico presents a singular problem. The facility unit has to work more durable and, to counteract the skinny air, we run at most downforce.
“It’ll present one other alternative to judge our current replace bundle. Kimi may even be within the automobile for his second FP1 session and we sit up for him persevering with his growth on observe.”
Mercedes’ “problem” in Mexico
Mercedes endured a tough weekend final day trip at the USA Grand Prix.
Hamilton spun out of the race within the opening couple of laps, whereas Russell completed sixth after ranging from the pit lane.
The W15 within the palms of each drivers proved to be tough to drive, with their new improve bundle probably impacting the dealing with of the automobile.
“After a tough weekend in Austin, we’ve the chance to bounce again instantly in Mexico,” Wolff added. “Our efficiency in Texas confirmed that there’s inherent efficiency within the automobile. Our problem is extracting this constantly.
“That isn’t the results of one particular problem, however the interplay of the automobile throughout each aero and mechanical elements. We’ve 5 extra races to work on this earlier than the tip of the season. It’s important that we accomplish that, not just for our instant efficiency however to additionally set ourselves up nicely for 2025.”
