Kimi Antonelli Breaks Silence after Verstappen's Robust Hyperlinks to Mercedes

[ad_1] Mercedes Method One driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has damaged his silence amid rumors of Max Verstappen's potential swap from Pink Bull to Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli is reported to have signed a one-year take care of the Brackley-based outfit, which is about to run out on the finish of this yr.

George Russell's declare about his contract extension being on maintain as a consequence of Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff's ongoing talks with Verstappen triggered hypothesis about the potential of Verstappen transferring to Mercedes. Russell's contract can be set to run out on the finish of 2025.

Whereas Wolff admitted that Russell and Kimi Antonelli would fill each seats at Mercedes subsequent yr, he did not shrink back from saying that he would preserve tabs on Verstappen to probably signal him sooner or later.

Verstappen pledged his loyalty to Pink Bull a couple of weeks in the past, stressing that he wasn't switching groups. Nonetheless, the sudden ousting of Pink Bull crew principal Christian Horner on Wednesday may need modified the scenario.

Third positioned Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Staff talks with Second positioned Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Pink Bull Racing in parc ferme through the F1 Grand Prix... Third positioned Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Staff talks with Second positioned Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Pink Bull Racing in parc ferme through the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. Extra Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Photos It's thought that Verstappen and Wolff met off the coast of Sardinia this week to carry additional discussions, including gasoline to the hypothesis. Kimi Antonelli, who made his F1 debut in Australia this yr, admitted that "there's a lot occurring," however pressured that he would proceed specializing in his efficiency. When requested if he obtained assurances from Mercedes about racing subsequent yr, he mentioned:

"I imply, clearly, there's a lot occurring. However I'm certain the crew is doing their finest to offer for the long run as effectively, as a result of they're clearly not simply subsequent yr, but additionally in search of the long run as effectively.

"There are quite a lot of talks occurring, however my objective is simply to attempt to do my finest, it doesn't matter what."

Kimi Antonelli went on to substantiate that he wasn't holding talks with every other crew.

Predicting a tough street for Pink Bull, given Horner's exit and ongoing challenges with the RB21 F1 automobile, former FIA steward Johnny Herbert mentioned Mercedes would probably be Verstappen's desire. He mentioned:

"It sounds very a lot so, that the Mercedes factor is the place he is most likely going to finish up. So, it is most likely not a shock every little thing with Christian anyway."

Hinting at key Pink Bull exits since mid-2024, he added:

"Now, it should be a extremely troublesome interval for them [Red Bull], as a result of clearly, with all of the adjustments, with Jonathan [Wheatley] and Adrian [Newey] and some different folks, and naturally, with Christian as effectively.

"It is in a really precarious place in the intervening time, as a result of, like something in Method 1, you have bought to have the ability to have the best components, which incorporates personnel, course, and that is all been slowly, type of eroded away.

"And you then've bought the performances on the monitor on the finish of the day, and a most likely not so comfortable Max, positively not a cheerful Jos, nevertheless it's most likely not a cheerful Max.

"As a result of Max, as you recognize, desires to be in a scenario of successful races and a world championship, and that type of, once more, slowly, type of eroded away during the last, what, yr and a half, I assume."