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'If Mercedes were desperate to win, they wouldn't sign Kimi Antonelli'
Eddie Jordan isn’t convinced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the ideal choice for Mercedes if they aim to win the 2025 Constructors’ Championship. The former team boss believes Carlos Sainz would have been a stronger option for the German outfit.
Jordan: 'They're saving 50 million!'
After Lewis Hamilton confirmed his move to Ferrari in early 2024, Carlos Sainz became a major figure in the driver market. However, Mercedes ultimately opted for 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli—a decision Eddie Jordan sees as a missed opportunity. The former team boss acknowledges that Toto Wolff’s team is significantly cutting costs on driver salaries with this choice.
"They’re probably saving 50 million on the current salary with Lewis Hamilton,” Jordan stated in conversation with David Coulthard in the Formula For Success podcast. “I think if they were paying Antonelli a couple of mil, I mean, I think that would be Christmases all coming at the same time. So there’s a big saving in terms of the costs relationships.”
The Irishman continued: “But anyway, Antonelli, let’s see. It still, for me, was a surprise. I still believe they should have gone for Carlos Sainz. I still believe that Mercedes, if they were desperately keen to win the Constructors’ Championship, they have George, and they needed somebody other than Kimi.
"Because with the greatest of respect, you know, you cannot do it in your first year. And if he does, I will be the first to say, ‘Hallelujah, brother, you’ve done an amazing job’. Because it just doesn’t come across to me just yet… and I know I may have to eat my words, because the guy is going to be sensational, but overall, it’s a big ask. It’s a big ask for Mercedes to expect him to be able to do that.” Jordan concluded
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder
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