Lewis Hamilton 'quite...' at... after Mercedes make Kimi Antonelli...

Lewis Hamilton ‘quite…’ at… after Mercedes make Kimi Antonelli…read more

Lewis Hamilton found himself overwhelmed with emotion ahead of FP3 at the Italian Grand Prix, following the announcement by Mercedes that Kimi Antonelli would replace him as a full-time driver for the 2025 season and beyond. While the departure of the seven-time world champion from Mercedes was made official back in February, the team had kept the identity of his successor under wraps for several months. It had long been speculated, however, that Antonelli was the frontrunner to take over the Silver Arrows seat.

Hamilton, who has spent an illustrious 12 years with Mercedes, expressed that it wasn’t until the official announcement on Saturday morning that the reality of his departure truly set in. Despite his emotions, the 39-year-old Briton was gracious in welcoming the young Antonelli into the fold, even taking to Instagram to publicly congratulate the 18-year-old. “Congrats Kimi Antonelli. I have no doubt that you’ll bring a lot to the team alongside George [Russell] next year,” Hamilton posted in his Instagram story, ending the message with a clapping emoji to show his support.

Although Hamilton is still coming to terms with leaving the team that has brought him so much success, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that Antonelli was always the natural choice to replace the legendary driver. Speaking in Monza, Wolff disclosed that the decision to promote the young Italian to the Mercedes seat came almost instantly after Hamilton informed him that he would be joining Ferrari.

“I made up my mind five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me that he’s going to Ferrari,” said Wolff. “Obviously, we were discussing other options, and we didn’t discount the Max [Verstappen] idea, looking at what was happening at Red Bull. But instinctively, this is the lineup I always wanted. Kimi’s fast-tracking through the junior ranks and everything else just confirmed that for me.”

Wolff’s confidence in Antonelli is clear, but the transition won’t be without its challenges. The teenager, who has generated significant excitement within the motorsport world, will need to adjust quickly to the pressures of Formula 1. The Italian made his FP1 debut at Monza on Friday, but the session ended prematurely when he crashed just two laps in. It was a stark reminder that while Antonelli’s talent is undeniable, the leap to F1 is no small step.

Despite the hiccup, Wolff remains steadfast in his belief that Antonelli has the potential to flourish at the highest level. “Every driver goes through growing pains,” Wolff remarked. “We knew there would be bumps along the road, but Kimi has shown time and again that he can learn from setbacks and come back stronger. He’s going to have limited opportunities to drive the W15 before the end of the season, but we’re confident that he’ll use every minute wisely to prepare for next year.”

The spotlight on Antonelli will only intensify as the 2024 season progresses, with both fans and critics eager to see how the young talent fares in his final preparatory year before officially joining the grid. His rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric, and his journey to F1 has been watched closely by those within and outside of the Mercedes camp.

For Hamilton, the emotions tied to leaving Mercedes are undoubtedly complex. After all, the Briton has enjoyed unprecedented success with the team, securing six of his seven world championships while driving for the Silver Arrows. However, with his move to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton is looking towards a new chapter in his storied career.

In many ways, Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and the arrival of Antonelli symbolize a changing of the guard within Formula 1. The sport is currently undergoing a generational shift, with younger drivers like Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri making their mark on the grid. As the older guard, including drivers like Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel (who retired at the end of 2023), and Fernando Alonso, begin to step away, the next wave of talent is ready to take center stage.

Mercedes will undoubtedly face a period of adjustment in the post-Hamilton era, but with a driver lineup featuring the experienced George Russell and the highly-touted Antonelli, Wolff believes the team is well-positioned for future success. “We’ve built something special here over the years, and while it’s always hard to say goodbye to a legend like Lewis, the future is bright,” Wolff concluded. “Kimi and George have the potential to take Mercedes to new heights, and we’re excited to see what they can achieve together.”

The 2025 season is still over a year away, but the groundwork for Mercedes’ next chapter is already being laid, with Antonelli at the heart of their future plans.