Mercedes have finally locked in Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for the 2025 season with 18-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli unveiled as the F1’s newest driver on Saturday.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton shocked the F1 in February when he revealed he was leaving the Silver Arrows for Ferrari as the rumour mill kicked into overdrive about who would replace him.
Current F2 driver and Mercedes junior driver prospect Antonelli was long considered a frontrunner and the teenage sensation has finally been announced.
Antonelli has been part of Mercedes since he was 11, having started karting at the age of 7 before becoming the CIK-FIA Karting European Champion in both 2020 and 2021.
The announcement comes after Wolff ruled out luring driver’s championship leader Max Verstappen.
The baby-faced youngster is an F1 driver.
Antonelli will join George Russell in Mercedes next season with team principle Toto Wolff revealing the move.
“Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed.
“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.
“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior program and our belief in homegrown talent.
“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.
“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process.
“In George, he has an experienced teammate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”
However, Antonelli’s Mercedes debut didn’t go to plan after the teenager lost control of Russell’s car and crashed heavily in practice at the Italian Grand Prix.
The junior driver took the seat for FP1, but just 10 minutes into the session, he crashed into the wall, red flagging the session.
Antonelli was fourth fastest at the time.
Antonelli got out of the car and walked away unscathed after apologising on team radio.
“Kimi, all good. All good, Kimi,” Wolff replied.
However, he then qualified sixth in F2 a few hours later.
Antonelli is expected to get another run in the 2024 Mercedes, potentially in Mexico.
Antonelli said he was “an amazing feeling”.
“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy,” Antonelli said.
“I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity.
“I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.
“I’m also really excited to become George’s teammate. He came through the team’s junior program just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for.
“He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track.”
Antonelli’s rise mirrors that of Russell, who was also a Mercedes junior, but the Brit also proved his mettle with three seasons at Williams before finally landing a seat in the top team in 2022.
Russell has claimed two wins and 13 podiums in his time with Mercedes and said he was looking forward to taking Antonelli under his wing.
“I’m really excited to be partnering with Kimi for 2025. His record in junior formula has been formidable and his promotion is truly deserved.
“He’s a fantastic young talent and a fellow graduate of our junior program. I look forward to using the experience I’ve gained from my own journey to provide guidance to Kimi as he makes the step up to F1.
“I know how much of a support Lewis was for me throughout my time as a junior driver and since I’ve been his teammate. I’ve learned so much from him and I hope to play a similar role for Kimi.
“As a team, we’re building a lot of positive momentum heading into next year. We continue to make progress on track and are working hard to put all the pieces in place to fight for world championships.
“It is a really exciting journey we are on; I am confident Kimi and I can continue to push the team forward and help deliver on the promise we are showing.”
Source: News.com.au
