Kimi Antonelli Joins George Russell As Mercedes-AMG F1 Driver for 2025

Reaching F1 is a dream – Kimi

Kimi’s meteoric rise via the decrease ranks of motorsport noticed him be a part of the crew’s junior programme as a 12-year-old in 2019.

After nice success in karting, together with FIA Karting European Championship and WSK Euro sequence titles, he graduated to single-seaters – the place he stormed to each the ADAC and Italian Method 4 titles in 2022, earlier than claiming the 2023 Method Regional European Championship.

The Italian made the step as much as FIA Method 2 for 2024 and has dealt with it beautifully. He’s claimed two victories to this point this season, together with a formidable Characteristic Race in Budapest.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to be introduced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” stated Kimi.

“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I used to be a small boy; I wish to thank the crew for the assist they’ve given me in my profession to this point and the religion they’ve proven in me. I’m nonetheless studying loads, however I really feel prepared for the chance.

“I shall be centered on getting higher and delivering the absolute best outcomes for the crew.

“I’m additionally actually excited to grow to be George’s team-mate. He got here via the crew’s junior programme identical to myself and is somebody I’ve an enormous quantity of respect for.

“He’s super-fast, a a number of Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me enhance as a driver. I’m trying ahead to studying from him and dealing collectively to ship on monitor.”

Markus Schäfer, Non-Govt Chairman & Mercedes-Benz AG CTO, added: “It’s an thrilling time for the crew as we unveil our driver line-up for 2025. We open the subsequent chapter in our story subsequent yr and have a improbable partnership with which to take action.

“George, as a a number of Grand Prix winner, has developed right into a top-tier driver. It has been a pleasure to see him come via the ranks of the crew’s junior programme, set up himself in F1 over the previous few years, and grow to be a pacesetter inside the crew.

“Kimi, identical to George and Lewis, is one among our home-grown skills with a really promising future. His file at junior stage is extremely spectacular and his uncooked pace is obvious to see. I can’t wait to see him in a race seat subsequent yr and watch his supreme expertise shine in a Mercedes F1 automobile.”