In a hush-hush private test session at Silverstone, young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli had the chance to drive the 2022 Mercedes W13 Formula 1 car. The test was significant because Antonelli was directly compared to Mick Schumacher, Mercedes’ reserve and test driver.
Unfortunately, lap times from this session have not been officially disclosed. However, both drivers had their moments on the track. Antonelli later tested with soft tires and a low fuel load, while Schumacher was sent out with a higher fuel load and hard tires.
🚨| Kimi Antonelli lap times were faster than Mick Schumacher in the last private test at Silverstone.
Engineers from the test said "1-2 laps were enough for him to become familiar with a Formula 1 car."
Kimi then manages to give very clear feedback on the strong and weak… pic.twitter.com/pCSHcSj3da
— F1_MercHub (@F1MercHub) May 24, 2024
Despite being just 17 years old, Kimi Antonelli impressed the Mercedes team with his prodigious ability. Engineers noted that Antonelli quickly adapted to the Formula 1 car, requiring only 1-2 laps to become familiar with it. His feedback on the car’s strong and weak points was clear and insightful. Antonelli’s performance has caught the attention of Toto Wolff, who is considering him as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton in the future.
James Allison Contemplates Resignation: Mercedes Rejects His Decision
James Allison, the highly respected chief engineer at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, recently found himself at a crossroads. Reports emerged that he contemplated resigning from the Silver Arrows, a team he has been an integral part of since 2017
James Allison joined Mercedes as the Technical Director in 2017, following the departure of Paddy Lowe to Williams F1. His expertise and leadership played a crucial role in the team’s success over the years. In April 2021, the 56-year-old was promoted to the role of Chief Technical Officer before returning to his position as Technical Director in 2023.
Despite his significant contributions, Allison felt increasingly isolated within the team. He believed that he had not delivered the turnaround that the team expected, and he found himself “too alone” in a technical environment that had been significantly depleted over time. These internal struggles led him to contemplate resignation.
Mercedes’ senior management recognized Allison’s immense value to the team. Instead of allowing him to step away, they orchestrated a leadership reshuffle. His resignation was rejected, and the team reaffirmed their confidence in his ability to steer them back to the top.
READ MORE: Mercedes Chief Engineer’s Resignation Rejected by Mercedes: Toto Wolff Reveals New Plan