Andrea Kimi Antonelli replaces Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes confirm F1 promotion

Having spent months mulling who ought to race alongside George Russell for Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton leaves for Ferrari on the finish of the yr, Toto Wolff has lastly made his resolution

Mercedes have confirmed teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli will fill the opening left by Lewis Hamilton subsequent season.

The seven-time Components 1 champion introduced firstly of the season that he’s leaving the Silver Arrows for a brand new problem with Ferrari. Ever since, crew principal Toto Wolff has been mulling over learn how to exchange one of many sport’s greatest ever drivers.

His dream signing would have been Max Verstappen and he has tried for a number of months to tempt the Dutchman to give up Purple Bull. However, as that was at all times an formidable goal, the Austrian has been taking a look at extra sensible choices.

And for a lot of months now, Mercedes have been grooming Antonelli, 18, for a future in F1. Having impressed in a number of regional championships, the younger Italian was fast-tracked to Components 2 this yr and shortly entered the body for a swift F1 promotion.

The teenage star stated on his promotion: “It’s an incredible feeling to be introduced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025. Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I used to be a small boy; I wish to thank the crew for the help they’ve given me in my profession to date and the religion they’ve proven in me”

His crew principal Wolff added: “Our 2025 driver line-up combines expertise, expertise, youth and out-and-out uncooked pace. We’re enthusiastic about what George and Kimi convey to the crew each as particular person drivers, but additionally as a partnership.

“Our new line-up is ideal to open the subsequent chapter in our story. Additionally it is a testomony to the power of our junior programme and our perception in home-grown expertise. George has proved that he is among the best possible drivers on this planet. He isn’t solely quick, constant, and decided, however has additionally developed into a powerful chief inside the crew.

“Kimi has persistently proven the expertise and pace wanted to compete on the very high of our sport. We all know it will likely be one other large step up, however he has impressed us in his F1 testing this yr and we will probably be supporting him each step of the way in which within the studying course of.

“In George, he has an skilled team-mate from which he can be taught and hone his craft. I’m assured that each will contribute significantly as we proceed to construct momentum and battle on the entrance of the sphere.”

Antonelli made his FP1 debut for the crew at Monza on Friday. However the second he would have been dreaming about became a nightmare as, 10 minutes in, he misplaced management whereas pushing on his second flying lap and crashed the Mercedes right into a tyre barrier.

Mercedes have largely loved nice continuity since returning to F1 in 2010. In these 15 seasons they’ve solely had 5 drivers on their books – Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Russell. A number of large names had been linked with Hamilton’s seat earlier than Antonelli was given the nod. Fernando Alonso was touted as a risk as was reigning champion Max Verstappen.