Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff does not want to make the possible engagement of Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s successor next year dependent on his training accident in Monza. “A first free practice session that goes wrong is no reason to decide against or for a driver,” he said a few hours after the 18-year-old’s violent departure at his debut in a current Formula 1 Mercedes. Antonelli lost on the high-speed course during the opening training for the Italian Grand Prix (Sunday, 3 p.m. in the F.A.Z. live ticker for Formula 1, on RTL and Sky) like the day before, the experienced Bernd Mayländer took control of the Silver Arrow in the safety car and came into the Parabolica curve off course.Departure with 45 gThe Italian slid the car over the gravel bed and crashed into the tire stacks with considerable force. “Sorry,” Antonelli radioed to the pits. “Kimi, everything is fine,” Wolff replied. At the moment of the accident, however, he also briefly grimaced. External content from Twitter In order to display external content, your revocable consent is required. Personal data from third-party platforms (possibly USA) may be processed. More information. Activate external contentAntonelli hit with 45 g, explained Wolff and hopes that the mechanics will get the car, which George Russell is actually driving, repaired in time. The occupants of a normal car are exposed to around 0.3 g during acceleration. The most important thing is that Antonelli is doing well, said Wolff: “These moments will happen, they will also happen next year.” But there will also be highlights. However, Antonelli has still not been confirmed as Mercedes’ new driver when Hamilton moves to Ferrari next year. More on the topic If he wants to become a champion one day, he will have to put up with something like that, said Wolff about Antonelli, whose training appearance as an Italian in Monza had caused a great stir. He is now expected to get his next chance in Mexico City. Overall, Wolff, who wants to make the teenager a champion, was already impressed and confirmed by the few kilometers until the crash: “We had more of a problem braking him, instead of making it faster.”
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