Andrea Kimi Antonelli will face a major challenge next year, as Mercedes has announced that the Italian teenager will replace Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari.
Antonelli, who just turned 18, will partner George Russell in 2025, taking on the formidable task of succeeding the seven-time world champion.
“He’s such a great figure in the sport today and has achieved so much,” Antonelli said. “I don’t want to see it as replacing him; I’m just the next driver for Mercedes.”
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted that Antonelli was chosen almost immediately after Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari.
Wolff emphasized that while Hamilton is an irreplaceable figure with unmatched records and stature, Antonelli and Russell symbolize the team’s future.
Wolff did not disclose the length of Antonelli’s contract and remained non-committal about potential future drivers, including whether Max Verstappen might join the team in 2026.
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Despite a dramatic start, with Antonelli crashing Russell’s car during a practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, Wolff remains optimistic.
The crash occurred just minutes into the session at Monza, but Wolff joked about the need to discuss the difference between practice and qualifying and hinted at another opportunity for Antonelli at the Mexican GP in October.
Antonelli’s ascent in motorsport has been swift. After skipping F3, he advanced directly to F2 with Prema Racing, following a successful career in Italian and German F4, as well as the Middle East and European regional Formula championships.
Currently seventh in the F2 standings, Antonelli has shown promise with victories at Silverstone and Budapest.
Antonelli will carry the hopes of Italian F1 fans, seeking to bring glory back to Italy, which has not seen a Grand Prix winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.
The last Italian driver to win the championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953, with Mario Andretti, though born in Italy, representing the United States when he won in 1978.
