Meet the new stars as F1 finally bloods young talent

For Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old wonderkid who Mercedes have high hopes will be their version of Max Verstappen, it was the biggest of comedowns at the Italian Grand Prix yesterday. The scene was set, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza glistening in 35C sunshine, as the Italian prospect expected to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows next year took to the track in first practice: his first session in Formula 1.

- KIERAN JACKSON

However, after just 10 minutes, Antonelli slid violently off the tarmac, across the gravel and smashed into the tyre barrier at the final corner, Parabolica. Toto Wolff, who has overlooked Carlos Sainz and other experienced drivers in pursuing an early promotion from F2 for the teenager, grimaced in the garage. Immediately, a learning curve. Welcome to the big boys, Kimi.

After a season start in which no new drivers took to the 20driver grid, 2025 is set to be altogether more radical. The sport is set to welcome three rookies and, in the form of Franco Colapinto, has a new rookie straight away at Monza this weekend. The Argentine has replaced the axed Logan Sargeant at Williams for the final nine races of the season, with his fiery shunt in Zandvoort last week deemed one crash too many by fed-up team principal James Vowles. However, with Sainz’s arrival next year, a permanent spot on the grid is not feasible.