Mercedes have confirmed Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli will change Lewis Hamilton from the beginning of the 2025 Formulation 1 season.
Hamilton introduced in February that he’ll be a part of Ferrari subsequent yr and Mercedes have chosen rising star Antonelli, who turned 18 final Sunday, to be George Russell’s team-mate on a one-year contract.
Antonelli made his Mercedes debut in apply on the Italian Grand Prix on Friday however crashed within the early phases of the session, taking a few of the gloss off of what was meant to be a celebratory weekend for driver and group.
He’ll grow to be the third youngest F1 driver of all-time when he makes his aggressive debut on the season-opener in Australia subsequent March at 18 years and 203 days previous – solely Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll had been youthful after they made their debuts.
Antonelli’s look at Monza was a part of the programme the group have designed to fast-track him to the highest of the game, with testing of previous Mercedes automobiles and additional F1 apply classes to come back earlier than the top of the season.
Antonelli was linked with a attainable swap to Williams to interchange Logan Sargeant for the rest of the 2024 season, however Wolff determined the younger star can be higher served finishing his Formulation 2 marketing campaign with Prema Racing and testing programme with Mercedes.
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Lewis Hamilton believes Kimi Antonelli can be an incredible choice to fill the seat at Mercedes forward of his departure for Ferrari.
“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” mentioned Antonelli.
“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; 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 can be targeted on getting higher and delivering the very best outcomes for the group.
“I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for.
“He’s super-fast, a a number of Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me enhance as a driver. I’m wanting ahead to studying from him and dealing collectively to ship on monitor.”
Mercedes depart door open for Verstappen
Antonelli and Russell’s contracts each expire on the finish of 2025, so Mercedes haven’t any drivers confirmed for 2026 when the brand new F1 rules start.
Toto Wolff has publicly made it clear he desires to signal Max Verstappen from Crimson Bull and held talks with the reigning world champion’s administration over the summer season.
“What I like with Max, Raymond and Jos Verstappen is that we talk straight. We don’t need to push each other,” mentioned Wolff ultimately week’s Dutch Grand Prix.
“We now have been on this too lengthy. We have taken the choice for drivers for subsequent yr. That is what our full effort goes into.
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Lewis Hamilton believes Kimi Antonelli can be an incredible choice to fill the seat at Mercedes forward of his departure for Ferrari.
“Hopefully that’s going to be the line-up for 2026 and beyond. But that doesn’t close the door on Max being with us in 2026 or beyond, because we want to still keep all the options open in the same way he does. So what I enjoyed in our conversations is there is never a hidden agenda.
“Someway I’ve that feeling [that Mercedes and Verstappen’s paths will cross]. However I do not know when that may very well be. Whether or not it is ’26, whether or not it is three years’ later, I do not know but.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Italian GP schedule
Saturday August 31
8.25am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Italian GP Follow Three (session begins 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.15pm: Italian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: ITALIAN GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday September 1
7:30am: F3 Characteristic Race
9am: F2 Characteristic Race
11am: Porsche Supercup
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Italian GP build-up
2pm: The ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Italian GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
The 2024 Formulation 1 season continues with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
