03/07/2025 18:30
Kimi Antonelli has confirmed he is not in conversation with any
rival F1 teams, as the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen and
his potential move to Mercedes continues to inflame. The young
Italian insists he is "very happy" with the Brackley-based squad
and is not interested in seeking pastures new, less than half a
season into his F1 career. The sudden scrutiny over the eight-time
constructors' driver line-up comes after George Russell revealed
Toto Wolff was in talks with Verstappen to prise him away from Red
Bull. Whilst his team-mate is the focal point of the uncertainty,
Antonelli, like the British driver, is also out of contract at the
end of the season, leaving the possibility that he ends up
sidelined - or shuffled out to another team as part of a loan deal.
However, that looming threat has not caused the teenager to take
matters into how own hands, maintaining the situation between
himself and Mercedes is clear. "Am I talking with other teams? No,
no," the 18-year-old told media, including RacingNews365 . "I got
this opportunity from Mercedes, and there is no talks with anyone
else going on. "I'm very happy where I am, and I'm also quite sure
with the team and also what they want from me." 'I know the team
has a lot of trust in me...' The media storm, which is only
increasing in intensity, comes in the wake of Antonelli crashing
into Verstappen on the first lap at the Red Bull Ring. With the
Dutchman handling the first lap retirement with grace, all the
attention post-Austrian Grand Prix was on Mercedes and how it would
support its young driver. Antonelli explained how he is focused on
reducing errors, but is not concerned with his status in the team.
"So I think, now, in my case, I need to just do my best, minimise
all the mistakes and then try to deliver the best job possible," he
said. "But I know the team has a lot of trust in me, so I'm not
really worried [about my future]."
