1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Toto Wolff’s “ego” is the reason Mercedes are going to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

The second Mercedes seat alongside 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell is still up for grabs.

Mercedes junior Antonelli remains the heavy favourite to take the seat after Wolff appeared to rule 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Carlos Sainz out of the running.

Wolff remains interested in signing 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen at Red Bull, but it’s expected that the Dutchman will stay put 🍒for 2025 at lea🦄st.

Antonelli has been part of Mercedes academy since 2019 (since he was 12), rising throu💞gh the motorsport ranks in impressive fashi💞on.

The Italian i✅s widely regarded as the ‘next Verstappen’ and looks likely to make his F1 debut next year after just two years in single-sea💫ters.

Wolff famously missed out on Verstappen’s signature after♋ Red Bull could offer him a full-time seat with Toro Rosso for 2015 - something Mercedes couldn’t offer given their lack of junior team.

Villeneuve thinks that🎉 Wolff picking Antonelli is an “ego” based decision, claiming the Mercedes boss “will not ha♓ve it any other way”.

“Merced𝓰es is not really an open door. It’s [Kimi] Antonelli’s team,” the Canadian said. “That’s🌸 the future.

“He’ಞs been prepped for it. Toto will not have it any other way. There’s ego in ꧟there.

“H♚e will prove to the world that he was right, that when Antonelli was 12, he knew that 🧸he was a future champion.”

Wolff confirmed to Sky Germany during the Canada weekend that they “want to con🔴centrate” on💮 Antonelli - and his preparation for F1.

He also revealed that he had informed Sa🔜inz that he’s not under consideration by Mercedes as they ൩look to the future. 

“We just want to concentrate on Kimi, that is our future, young drivers," W൩🐠olff added.

“We want🌳 to commit tꦅo that, to young drivers and that is what we’ve told Carlos.”