Eddie Jordan Feels Mercedes Have Promoted Kimi Antonelli A Bit Too Soon

Kimi Antonelli was recently announced as the newest driver for Mercedes AMG Formula One team. Antonelli had a test with Mercedes a day before being announced as their Formula One driver for the next season. During the testing session, Kimi Antonelli crashed George Russel's Mercedes. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described the car as a ‘Lego box’ after the crash. Kimi Antonelli has some big shoes to fill as he will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes as Lewis moves to Ferrari from 2025 onwards. 

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan feels Mercedes have rushed in their decision to promote Kimi Antonelli. 

Antonelli Should Be In F1 But Not In Mercedes

Eddie Jordan feels that Kimi Antonelli deserved the Formula One promotion. However, he does not deserve to be in a seat like Mercedes as Antonelli is still too young and will not be able to cope with the pressure that comes with a seat at a championship side like Mercedes. 

"I thought the pressure of Mercedes would be too much for Kimi on his debut and his first run - it turned out that's the way it was. 

"I still believe there is a place for Kimi, but it is not at Mercedes.

Read More: Aston Martin Gift Fernando Alonso First Adrian Newey Designed Car

"I don't care how quick he is, he should be placed somewhere that will give Toto and his team a chance to learn for a year [in another team] and then come up that way," said Eddie Jordan. 

Eddie Jordan believes that Kimi should be in a mid-table team like Williams so that it gives Mercedes and Toto Wolff time to make a proper decision on Kimi Antonelli after observing him in the F1 setting for a year. 

Jordan Draws Comparisons To Max Verstappen 

Jordan drew comparisons to how Max Verstappen made his way to the Red Bull seat and he feels that is the perfect way for a young driver to progress in Formula One. Max Verstappen started his F1 career at Toro Rosso and was then promoted to Red Bull. 

"That is perfect and exactly what should happen with Max in Toro Rosso. 

Read More: Ferrari Announce New Technical Director Amongst Changes

"Kimi Antonelli should be in at Williams, or somewhere where Toto can place him. It is what I've been saying for ages.

"Remember what Bernie Ecclestone always used to say: 'When you go looking for money, or you go looking for anything, earn the right'. That is what he used to say, 'Earn the right.'

"At the moment, I don't see how Antonelli has earned the right, not yet, and it doesn't give me a factor of total belief." 

These views of Eddie Jordan are shared by several fans too as they too believe it is too early to have Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes seat despite him having a stellar junior record.