WATCH: Lewis Hamilton's replacement Kimi Antonelli gets to drive Mercedes W11

Many Formula 1 fans have shared videos of Kimi Antonelli completing his first Formula 1 test after becoming a full-time Mercedes driver. The Brackley-based team took Antonelli to the Circuito de Jerez in Spain for a two-day test. The circuit hosted the Spanish Grand Prix from 1986 to 1990 and the European Grand Prix from 1994 to 1997.

Mercedes' 2020 W11, which has camouflage livery, was used in the private test in anticipation of the next season. Antonelli has gained a lot of expertise with F1 gear even as a rookie. In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff said that Antonelli had driven 9,000 kilometres in various tests.

With an average F1 race distance of 305 km, this equates to 29.5 races. Nevertheless, the Silver Arrows have taken a chance since Lewis Hamilton left. The German manufacturer has faith in Antonelli, who is the first rookie driver to compete for Mercedes since the team returned to Formula One as a factory outfit in 2010. Although he was hailed as a potential world champion, he crashed at Parabolica ten minutes into his free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix last year.

Watch the video here:

Kimi Antonelli is driving the W11 today at the Jerez circuit. pic.twitter.com/dc4kcr0FeT

— Mercedes Hub (@MercedesF1_Hub) January 15, 2025

Mercedes' last title came in 2021

Mercedes gave Antonelli another free practice trip in Mexico City before he returned to the team's wheel for the post-season test at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. Mercedes hasn't won the constructors title since 2021 because they've had trouble keeping up with the ground-effect generation of vehicles. Mercedes has had consistency issues all season long, despite displaying bursts of speed. Mercedes' performance frequently shifted between winning races and finishing as the fourth-fastest team in 2024, highlighting this. Nonetheless, George Russell had his best season, especially during qualifying. 

Mercedes' new power unit for the upcoming season has garnered optimism from Toto Wolff and James Allison, who acknowledge that the sentiment is reminiscent of 2014, the year that new engine regulations were last implemented. With their engine leading the field, Mercedes dominated the beginning of the V6 hybrid era.