According to a report, Mercedes is set to announce that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will join the Formula 1 team in 2025 as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at the Italian Grand Prix. Last September, Mercedes had announced that Hamilton and George Russell had extended their contracts, seemingly securing their driver line-up through 2025. However, Hamilton surprised the team by activating a break clause in his contract and signing with Ferrari for the next season.
Despite Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s warning about not wanting to jeopardize Antonelli’s future, the Italian driver has been considered the top candidate for the vacant position. Antonelli has had a successful career in single-seaters, making a rapid progression from Formula 3 to Formula 2 this season. Although he had a difficult start in his debut season in Formula 2, Antonelli has since achieved victories in the Britain Sprint and the Hungary Feature races. Autosprint has reported that Antonelli has signed a contract with Mercedes, which will begin in 2025, and the team plans to announce the news at Monza next month. Antonelli will be present at the Italian circuit as he competes with his Prema F2 team, currently holding the seventh position in the Drivers’ standings. Mercedes has been supporting Antonelli’s F2 campaign by providing him with extensive F1 testing opportunities, including testing the 2021 and 2022 cars.
Antonelli will join Russell, who is participating in his third season with Mercedes and will become the team’s more seasoned driver once Hamilton departs.
Hamilton’s entire Formula 1 career so far has been fueled by Mercedes engines and his partnership with the team has been the most successful in the sport.
Antonelli’s progression will mirror the impressive rise of the seven-time F1 champion, as Hamilton made his debut with a leading McLaren in 2007 and came close to securing the championship.
“I don’t know what Toto’s plans are, but for me, bringing in a young driver would be the right move,” Hamilton said. “If it were up to me, I would probably choose Kimi.”
Mercedes taking a risk on a newcomer comes at a time when the team has shown improved competitiveness and appears to be on track for a championship challenge in 2025.
The team based in Brackleu achieved three victories in the five races leading up to the summer break, including a 1-2 finish in Belgium before Russell’s disqualification.
However, Russell has emphasized that he feels ready to compete for his first F1 title, while Wolff has assured that Antonelli will be given time to learn from rookie mistakes.
The Austrian, who has been pursuing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, has stated that Antonelli can use the next season to prepare for the reset of F1 regulations in 2026.
“Of course, there are risks,” Wolff Autosport Wereld stated last month regarding the potential signing of Antonelli.
“The risks are not so much in his driving talent, but Antonelli would be exposed to the media and to the skills of George Russell, one of the top drivers on the grid.
“But Kimi has great potential. His speed and talent are already at a certain level, he just lacks experience.”
Photo from Antonelli Instagram
