Mercedes has officially announced that Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be stepping into the shoes of the legendary Lewis Hamilton, who is bound for Ferrari next season.
The 18-year-old Antonelli, a standout graduate from Mercedes’ junior program, will partner with George Russell, marking a new era for the Silver Arrows following the departure of the seven-time Formula 1 champion.
Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, expressed his confidence in the young driver’s abilities, highlighting Antonelli’s consistent demonstration of the “talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport.”
Wolff acknowledged the significant challenge ahead for Antonelli but emphasized the team’s commitment to nurturing his development.
“We know it will be another big step up,” Wolff said, adding that Antonelli’s impressive performances in F1 testing this year have bolstered the team’s confidence.
He assured that Mercedes would provide unwavering support as Antonelli navigates the complexities of Formula 1, learning alongside his experienced teammate, George Russell.
“In George, he has an experienced teammate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field,” Wolff added.
Antonelli’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. Since joining Mercedes’ junior program in 2019, he has made a name for himself in Formula 2, becoming the youngest driver in the series’ history to secure multiple race victories, with wins at Silverstone and Budapest.
His recent practice debut for Mercedes at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza was a mixed experience; the young driver faced a challenging moment when he crashed into the wall at turn 11, causing significant damage to the car.
Despite the incident, Antonelli emerged unscathed, and Wolff was quick to downplay the impact on the driver’s future, stating that the crash would have “zero effect” on his career trajectory.
“He’s a rookie, he’s very young, we are prepared to invest into his future and these moments will happen and they will continue to happen next year, but there will also be a lot of highlights,” Wolff emphasized.
Before the crash, Antonelli had briefly showcased his potential by setting the fastest lap of the session, temporarily running in place of Russell.
Undeterred, he returned to the track later in the day and managed to secure sixth place in the F2 qualifying session. The team expects Antonelli to gain more experience by participating in another practice session in Mexico later in 2024.
Reflecting on the opportunity ahead, Antonelli expressed his gratitude and determination in Mercedes’ announcement.
“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,” he said. “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.”
George Russell, Antonelli’s future 26-year-old teammate, who also rose through the ranks of Mercedes’ junior program, has already secured two race wins with the team, the most recent being at the Austrian Grand Prix in June.
Wolff highlighted the excitement within the team regarding the new driver pairing, stating, “We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.”
He described the new line-up as “perfect to open the next chapter in our story” and a testament to the strength of Mercedes’ junior program and commitment to developing home-grown talent.
The transition marks the end of a historic chapter for Mercedes, which has seen unparalleled success during Hamilton’s tenure, including eight consecutive constructors’ championships.
Hamilton, who secured six of his seven world titles with the team, will now join forces with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025, setting the stage for a new rivalry in Formula 1.
