Antonelli Set to Take Over from Hamilton at Mercedes

AFP/APP

Italy: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an Italian teenager, will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year after Hamilton announced he would be moving to Ferrari, Mercedes revealed on Saturday. Antonelli, who recently turned 18, will partner with George Russell as he attempts to fill the significant shoes of the seven-time world champion. 

“He’s such a great figure in the sport today, and he has achieved so much in his career,” Antonelli said, adding that he doesn’t see himself as Hamilton’s replacement but as the next driver for Mercedes in 2025.

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff mentioned that the decision to promote Antonelli from Formula Two came “five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me that he’s going to Ferrari.” 

Although Antonelli’s contract duration was not disclosed, Wolff did not rule out the possibility of recruiting Max Verstappen from Red Bull for 2026. “There’s no discussion, no second thoughts about what we’re doing in 2026,” Wolff added.