Sauber chief executive Mattia Binotto claims Mercedes offered Kimi Antonelli to the team in a loan move for the 2025 season.

The former Ferrari team principal added he “wasn’t involved in the decision” over the teenager’s future, as the young Italian instead stepped straight into a Mercedes seat for his rookie season.

Binotto: Mercedes ‘offered’ Kimi Antonelli to Sauber for F1 2025 season

When Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari announced a move for the seven-time World Champion for this season, much was made about his potential replacement at Mercedes and the candidates for the seat.

Team principal Toto Wolff said after Antonelli’s seat was announced that his mind was made up “five minutes” after news came through of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.

“Obviously, we were discussing other options,

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