The Italian junior driver performed outstandingly in 2023's European Formula Regional, comfortably claiming his second victory in a row after winning 2022's German Formula Four. This immediate success catapulted him straight to Formula Two for 2024, avoiding Formula Three completely. The transition to Formula Two can only set Antonelli up well for his future in motorsport, enthusiastically described as having "really great" potential by Mercedes Team Principle Toto Wolff. However, this sudden switch to Formula 2, skipping out part of the rankings under the close watch of Toto Wolff, could do more harm than good, leaving him unprepared for the difficulty of Formula Two in comparison to Formula Regional.
Antonelli's skill goes beyond rumour and word of mouth, giving a strong performance during testing. Due to limitations on Formula Two testing, Antonelli drove a Formula Three car finishing seconds ahead of the rest of the grid. As official Formula Two testing has begun, Antonelli's results have been reassuring, finishing in the top ten every day and fourth during day one (5 places ahead of his PREMA teammate, Ollie Bearman). Antonelli described the pre-season testing as "productive" and "very helpful", filled with optimism as he enters his Formula Two rookie season.
2024 has been a dramatic time before the season has begun, most notably with the news of Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025. As the 2024 Formula Two season goes on, the knowledge that a space will be open at the Formula One team could only make Toto Wolff watch Antonelli even closer than before. Not only has the Mercedes team taken interest in Antonelli but the internet has taken the idea by storm, expecting the junior driver to move up to Formula One in 2025. A rumour of this degree is bound to put a weight of pressure on the 17-year-old driver's shoulders, expected to be at a Formula One level at 18; "it was like 'bang!" describes the driver. However, amidst all of this Toto Wolff has made it clear that the expectations for Antonelli don't exceed Formula Two at this moment. The driver expressed his gratitude for Mercedes during this chaotic time, explaining: "Mercedes were ready for that, and they helped me to keep focus".
