Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has praised Kimi Antonelli’s strong performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, suggesting it has relieved some of the pressure on the Mercedes junior driver. Antonelli managed to out-qualify his teammate George Russell for only the second time this season during the Baku weekend, marking a notable improvement in his qualifying form.
Although Antonelli could not maintain the lead during the race, Russell’s impressive pace on hard tyres in the first stint allowed him to overtake both Antonelli and Carlos Sainz during the pit stop phase. Despite this, Mercedes took an encouraging step by reclaiming second place ahead of Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship standings following the event.
Antonelli’s Rookie Season: Highlights and Challenges
Throughout his debut year, Antonelli has demonstrated glimpses of exceptional talent, including securing pole position for the sprint race in Miami and achieving his first podium in Montreal. However, consistency has eluded him, as finishing within the top 10 has often been a struggle. Various setbacks, such as reliability issues and driver mistakes, have contributed to Antonelli trailing significantly behind Russell in the points tally this season.
Since his podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, Antonelli has only scored points on three further occasions. Mercedes technical director James Allison emphasized the importance of providing Antonelli with cleaner race weekends so he can develop confidence during qualifying sessions and main races.
Mercedes’ 2026 Driver Plans and Sainz’s Prospects
Neither Antonelli nor Russell currently hold a confirmed contract with Mercedes for the 2026 season. The team had considered recruiting Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, but Verstappen later confirmed his intention to remain at Red Bull before the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Ralf Schumacher believes Antonelli’s recent improvements have drastically lowered the likelihood of Mercedes pursuing Carlos Sainz from Williams. In an appearance on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher remarked on Antonelli’s weekend breakthrough and the internal pressures affecting Mercedes management.
“In the end, the whole thing is expensive, and we also have to be in the Constructors’ Championship and so on, and that’s very important this weekend. I think Kimi had a good, solid weekend, and he can build on that now. That’s why I don’t believe that the door will open again for Carlos Sainz.”
— Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver
Strategic Considerations Behind Mercedes’ Driver Decisions
According to Schumacher, Mercedes’ management, including team principal Toto Wolff and the main shareholders, closely evaluates all driver proposals and decisions. When negotiations with a potential recruit such as Verstappen do not materialize, the team must reassess its options, weighing costs and championship objectives carefully. Antonelli’s steady runs present an internal solution that reduces the necessity to disrupt the driver lineup by signing external candidates like Sainz.
Implications for Mercedes and the 2025 Season
Antonelli’s progress offers Mercedes stability as it aims to consolidate its position against Ferrari in the constructor standings. His ability to build momentum through clean, consistent performances could impact Mercedes’ strategy for the remaining races of the 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, the fate of Sainz remains uncertain, with Mercedes apparently closing the door on bringing him back into the fold given the recent dynamics and focus on nurturing their junior driver’s potential.
