Formula 1 is about to witness a seismic shift as 18-year-old Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli steps into the Mercedes cockpit—replacing none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. In a dramatic twist of fate, Ferrari-bound Hamilton has paved the way for a fresh Italian talent, but not in the red of Maranello—rather, in the Silver Arrows of Mercedes.
This move not only breaks a years-long drought of Italian drivers in F1, but it also throws Antonelli straight into the deep end, bypassing the usual multi-year climb through the feeder series. With just one year in Formula 2, Mercedes has decided to roll the dice on the Bologna-born sensation.
“It’s a Bit Weird,” Says Antonelli on the F1 Shake-Up
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Autosport Awards, Antonelli acknowledged the oddity of an Italian driver spearheading a German powerhouse, while a British legend like Hamilton takes up Ferrari’s legendary seat.
“It’s a bit weird because it’s a bit controversial that an Italian driver is going to Mercedes and an English driver is going to Ferrari!” Antonelli remarked with a chuckle.
Still, the teenager isn’t dwelling on the irony of the situation. Instead, he’s embracing the challenge of becoming Italy’s next F1 hero—a role not seen since Antonio Giovinazzi last raced for Alfa Romeo in 2021.
“I’m super happy with the position I am in, and of course, there’s a lot of hype around having another new Italian on the grid. And then, of course, Lewis joining Ferrari—it’s an incredible thing. I think during the Italian Grand Prix, there is going to be a lot of excitement,” he added.
Ready to Fight for Wins—But Keeping It Real
Despite his meteoric rise to F1, Antonelli is keeping his feet on the ground. While his talent is undeniable—having dominated junior series and earned the faith of Mercedes—he understands that success won’t come overnight.
“I’m going to go with the mindset of trying to win, but of course, you have to be realistic at the same time,” he admitted.
Mercedes, still struggling to reclaim its once-dominant form after Red Bull’s recent reign, will be looking for a resurgence in 2025. And Antonelli, despite his rookie status, isn’t shying away from the pressure.
“I just joined the grid. I’m in a good team—I’m in a great team. I’m with Mercedes, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity I got. But of course, I will need to learn. I will try to make the least amount of mistakes, try to learn race by race, and then achieve some great results, especially if the speed is there.”
A Young Gun with a Champion’s Mentality
Antonelli is also ready to soak up knowledge from his soon-to-be teammate, George Russell, who himself had to fill the shoes of another F1 icon, Valtteri Bottas, in 2022.
“I’m going to try to learn a lot from my teammate, George,” he said with humility. “He’s a really good driver, and he showed especially last year what he’s capable of. I’m going to try to learn as much as possible, and then we’ll see what we can do.”
Despite being just 18 years old—and only recently obtaining his road driving license—Antonelli is already being heralded as one of F1’s most exciting new stars. Can he live up to the hype and help Mercedes battle for the title? Or will the leap to F1 come too soon?
The 2025 season will provide the answers, but one thing is certain: the eyes of Italy, Mercedes, and the entire F1 world will be firmly fixed on Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
