Mercedes confirmed Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's successor for the 2025 Formula 1 season, with the announcement made at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
The decision saw the 18-year-old Italian promoted directly from Formula 2 to partner George Russell at the Silver Arrows. Antonelli had been part of the Mercedes junior driver programme and impressed during testing and free practice outings throughout the 2024 season.
The announcement came after Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari for 2025 was confirmed earlier in the year, leaving Mercedes with a seat to fill alongside Russell. Team principal Toto Wolff had been open about the team's preference to promote from within its junior programme rather than signing an experienced driver from a rival team.
Antonelli's promotion to Formula 1 was accelerated by his performances in the junior categories, including a competitive Formula 2 campaign. His first official test at Monza during FP1 drew significant attention, though it ended prematurely after a crash at the Parabolica.
The move represented a calculated gamble by Mercedes, pairing an experienced team leader in Russell with a highly rated but unproven rookie. The team's confidence in Antonelli reflected both his raw pace and the extensive data gathered during his development within the Mercedes programme.
Source: theguardian.com