Mercedes junior driver Antonelli is under consideration to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in a Silver Arrow in 2025, with the team using older machinery to fully assess his abilities before making a decision.
The first of these tests was conducted across two days at the Red Bull Ring, where the Italian drove the W12, the car that so nearly took Hamilton to a record-breaking eighth world title in 2021.
After completing 500 kilometres across the two days, Antonelli said: “It’s been an incredible experience, it was really great to feel the power and downforce.
“I loved every second of it. It was really good fun and I want to thank all the team for all their hard work.”
He added: “We did some sim work and ran through some important things ahead of the day.
“That was really useful because once I was out on track, I knew what the team was telling me on the radio.”
Source: Autosport