Mercedes has rented the Autodromo in Imola for the 29th and 30th of March to prepare its protégé, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, for the current generation of Formula 1 cars.
Prema’s Formula 2 driver, who currently sits in 9th place in the standings, is set to run a two-day test with the 2022 Mercedes machine, the W13.
The Young Italian is therefore set for his first-ever outing inside the world’s quickest single-seater category.
This move would prepare the Italian racer for the inevitable. It is expected that the driver who won the championship in every single junior category will very soon jump into Formula 1, as early as next year.
The two-day test at the iconic Imola circuit would prepare Antonelli for the demanding physical effort of a Formula 1 car and set him up for the next F2 round, which is coincidentally in Imola.
Toto Wolff has admitted a feeling of guilt for hyping Antonelli a lot.
The Austrian also noted that he does not want to risk losing Antonelli the way Mercedes lost a chance to sign Verstappen a decade ago.
In this quest, Mercedes finally ‘has’ a team where they could put their prospects in. Worth remembering is that both Valtteri Bottas and George Russell jumped into Mercedes following a brief stint with Williams.
Antonelli’s connections with Williams’ second seat and even serving as Hamilton’s potential replacement at Mercedes are growing bigger. However, the Prema driver is still in his early F2 days and requires improving in the very demanding F2 cars.