Mercedes announced that KimiAndrea Antonellian 18-year-old pilot will be promoted Formula 1 of the F2 and will replace neither more nor less than Lewis Hamilton in 2025. The departure of the British towards Ferrari It was known since February 1st and the German team gave itself a few months to make a decision that was announced this Saturday, coinciding with the celebration of the Italian Grand Prixhis native country. Thus, the other will of the Germans, which was to sign Max Verstappen.
The bet is risky, there is no doubt about it. And since Verstappen’s emergence in Red Bull A signing with so much youth and, above all, inexperience in the field has not been seen. Big Circus. This is why at the headquarters of Brackley And Brixworth In Great Britain He is classified as the most similar example to the Dutchman and they blindly believe that he can perfectly handle the important German midfielder. In this way, the management of George Russell in what will be his fourth season as a regular driver at Mercedes.
Above all, and like Russell, the Italian remains a driver represented by Toto Wolffteam leader. For the Austrian, Antonelli was always above the option of Carlos Sainz and, although he came to offer a year to the Ferrarihe refused because his intention is to sign a multi-year contract with the proposal that convinced him the most. It is true that a big door was closed, but his desire to establish himself in a team that has a future project with him is ahead and in this case it will be Williams.
Toto Wolff said the 2025 driver line-up combines “experience, talent, youth and pure speed.” “We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team as individual drivers, but also as teammates. Our new line-up is perfect for the next chapter in our history,” he added.
Wolff commented that Antonelli has “consistently” demonstrated the “talent” and “speed” needed to compete at the top of F1. “We know it will be another big step, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will support him every step of the way in the learning process,” he concluded.
Who is Antonelli?
Mercedes sees Antonelli as a potential champion with whom it has not followed the Russell formula, which would have been to have him do his military service in Williams. Yes, he does it in 2024 in F2, where he put his efforts into the last tests and Kimi is currently seventh with the team. Prema Powerteam with 87 points and a race won in Hungarywhere he ended up making his new team fall in love with him.
Antonelli won several titles throughout his short career, such as the Italian Championship F4 and the F4 championship ADAC for Préma. The Regional Formula Championship Middle East 2023 with Bombay Falcons and the 2023 Formula 1 Regional European Championship with Prema. In addition, he has been part of the Mercedes junior team since 2019, which has undoubtedly helped him in his big leap to F1.
Next year he will take over from Hamilton and possibly a car ready to win the title after the sharp increase in performance seen from the Englishman and Russell midway through this season. Mercedes takes on Ferrari in the World constructors after the Italians fell behind while improving and winning two races in a row in Austria And Silver Stone and another in Spa.
