Lewis Hamilton’s replacement... by Mercedes Toto woff as Max Verstappen saga finally...

Lewis Hamilton’s replacement… by Mercedes Toto woff as Max Verstappen saga finally…read more.

Mercedes has officially confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli on a multi-year contract, designating him as the replacement for Lewis Hamilton starting in the 2025 season. The young Italian driver will take over from Hamilton, who will be joining Ferrari. The announcement follows Mercedes’ failed attempts to sign Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, marking the conclusion of what has been a highly-publicized saga.

Antonelli’s rapid ascent to Formula 1 has been nothing short of remarkable. After competing in Formula Regional cars, he made the jump to Formula Two during the winter and secured two notable victories. His impressive performances have earned him a promotion to Formula 1, where he will partner with George Russell from 2025 onward.

Russell, who has established himself as a formidable driver within the Mercedes team, will be stepping up to the role of team leader in Hamilton’s absence. He expressed his excitement about partnering with the young talent and emphasized the importance of mentorship. Russell drew parallels between his own experience as a junior driver and the support he received from Hamilton, highlighting his desire to play a similar role for Antonelli as he navigates the transition to F1.

“I’m really excited to be partnering with Kimi for 2025,” Russell said in a statement on the team’s official website. “His record in junior formula has been formidable and his promotion is truly deserved. I look forward to using the experience I’ve gained from my own journey to provide guidance to Kimi as he makes the step up to F1. I know how much of a support Lewis was for me throughout my time as a junior driver and since I’ve been his team-mate. I’ve learned so much from him and I hope to play a similar role for Kimi.”

For Antonelli, the promotion to Mercedes represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Being selected to fill one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1 not only brings the promise of a career at the highest level of motorsport, but also the opportunity to compete for Grand Prix victories from the outset. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in his readiness to tackle them.

“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” Antonelli shared. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. George is someone I have a huge amount of respect for. He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff faced the daunting task of replacing Hamilton, who has been a cornerstone of the team for over a decade. Hamilton secured six of his seven world championships with Mercedes, amassing over 100 Grand Prix victories along the way. Despite the pressure, Wolff is optimistic about the future and believes the new line-up is well-positioned to continue Mercedes’ legacy of success.

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

As Mercedes looks ahead to the post-Hamilton era, the team’s faith in their young talent is clear. With Russell stepping into a leadership role and Antonelli being groomed for success, Mercedes is set to begin an exciting new chapter in Formula 1.