Kimi Antonelli named as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes

Antonelli, who turned 18 final Sunday, was thrust into George Russell’s cockpit for the opening follow session for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

However his hotly-anticipated first look lasted fewer than six laps, and solely 10 minutes, after he misplaced management of his Mercedes on the Parabolica at 160mph, sliding backwards by the gravel and into the tyre barrier.

Nonetheless, group principal Toto Wolff stated the crash would have zero affect on Antonelli’s F1 possibilities, and affirmation of his elevation as a junior driver with the Silver Arrows was confirmed forward of ultimate follow at his house occasion.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be introduced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” stated Antonelli. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I used to be a small boy.

“I need to thank the group for the assist they’ve given me in my profession up to now and the religion they’ve proven in me. I’m nonetheless studying rather a lot, however I really feel prepared for the chance. I shall be targeted on getting higher and delivering the absolute best outcomes for the group.

“I’m additionally actually excited to change into George’s team-mate. He got here by the group’s junior programme similar 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 wanting ahead to studying from him and dealing collectively to ship on monitor.”

Hamilton’s blockbuster switch to Ferrari for 2025 left a emptiness on the Silver Arrows, and, after failing to woo Max Verstappen from Crimson Bull, Antonelli has been drafted in.

Nonetheless,  at this stage, Mercedes stated the Russell-Antonelli line-up was just for 2025, leaving the door ajar for Verstappen to be signed the next 12 months.

“Our 2025 driver line-up combines expertise, expertise, youth and out-and-out uncooked velocity,” stated Wolff. “We’re enthusiastic about what George and Kimi deliver to the group each as particular person drivers, but additionally as a partnership. Our new line-up is ideal to open the subsequent chapter in our story. Additionally it is a testomony to the power of our junior programme and our perception in home-grown expertise.

“George has proved that he is without doubt one of the best drivers on the planet. He isn’t solely quick, constant, and decided, however has additionally developed into a powerful chief throughout the group.

“Kimi has constantly proven the expertise and velocity wanted to compete on the very prime of our sport. We all know it will likely be one other massive step up, however he has impressed us in his F1 testing this 12 months and we shall be supporting him each step of the way in which within the studying course of.

“In George, he has an skilled team-mate from which he can study and hone his craft. I’m assured that each will contribute vastly as we proceed to construct momentum and battle on the entrance of the sphere.”