F1: Mercedes Announce Rookie Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s Replacement – News18

Mercedes have announced Italian Kimi Antonelli will join as the new teammate of George Russell for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Antonelli will be replacing eight-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton who will race for Ferrari from next year.

The 18-year-old Antonelli boasts of a sparkling record at the junior level and has won the ADAC and Italian F4 titles in 2022 before clinching the Formula Regional European Championship last year.

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He entered F2 with PREMA this season.

“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” Antonelli said. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.”

Antonelli is looking forward to linking up with Russell.

“I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for,” he said.

“He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track,” he added.

Mercedes Team principal Toto Wolff termed the line-up of Russell and Antonelli as ‘perfect’ start to the team’s next chapter.

“Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed. We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership,” Wolff said.

“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent.

“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team. Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process,” he added.