BREAKING NEWS: George Russell to be replaced at… as Mercedes confirm Lewis Hamilton’s… Read More.
George Russell to be replaced at… as Mercedes confirm Lewis Hamilton’s… Read More.
Mercedes has confirmed that Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli will make his Formula 1 debut at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, stepping in for George Russell during FP1. This opportunity is significant as Antonelli is widely tipped to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season, a move that could make him the third-youngest driver in F1 history. Antonelli’s rise has been rapid, with his current stint in Formula Two coming after winning last year’s Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA).
The announcement from Mercedes came in a statement on Monday, revealing that Russell will sit out of the first practice session at Monza to give Antonelli his first taste of F1 action. Mercedes also confirmed that Hamilton would later miss a session this season, allowing Antonelli another opportunity to get behind the wheel of the W15.
Antonelli, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday, expressed his excitement ahead of his FP1 debut. “Taking part in my first FP1 is going to be really special,” said the Italian. “I’m really excited to drive the W15 and share the track with so many amazing drivers. I can’t wait for it.”
His potential full-time promotion to Mercedes next season has been one of the most talked-about topics in F1 circles. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently hinted at Antonelli’s future with the team, letting slip that the young Italian might have already signed with the Silver Arrows to replace Hamilton in 2025. Speaking before the Dutch Grand Prix, Wolff suggested that Antonelli’s promotion is all but confirmed.
“Soon, we will confirm who is in the second seat,” Wolff said. “What I also said is that the two drivers that are in the car have our full support, 100 per cent. Therefore, I’m entering the season in 2025 with two drivers that we will be giving all the opportunity to perform. And that’s why I don’t want to talk about the 2026 driver line-up at this stage because I want to make it work with George and Kimi.”
This slip of the tongue from Wolff has fueled speculation that Mercedes has already made their decision about Hamilton’s successor. If Antonelli does join the team next year, he will follow in the footsteps of Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll as one of the youngest drivers in the sport’s history. Currently, Oliver Bearman holds the record for being the third-youngest driver after stepping in for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this season.
The decision to give Antonelli an FP1 session at Monza reflects Mercedes’ strategy of gradually integrating the young talent into the team’s F1 setup. The Italian teenager has been on Mercedes’ radar for some time, and his rapid progress through the junior ranks has only solidified the team’s belief in his potential. After winning the FRECA Championship last year, Antonelli was fast-tracked into Formula Two, where he has continued to impress.
While Antonelli’s promotion seems imminent, Mercedes’ pursuit of Max Verstappen remains a topic of discussion. The team has openly expressed interest in the Dutchman, but any potential move appears unlikely given Verstappen’s long-term contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028. Verstappen himself has repeatedly stated that he is happy with his current team and has shown little interest in leaving the dominant force that is Red Bull.
For Mercedes, Antonelli represents a long-term investment in youth, a move that aligns with their strategy of developing young talent within their ranks. The team’s decision to gradually ease Antonelli into the F1 fold with these FP1 sessions indicates a measured approach to his development, ensuring that he is fully prepared to take on the challenge of racing in F1 full-time.
As the 2024 season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how Antonelli performs in these practice sessions and whether his inevitable promotion to Mercedes comes sooner rather than later. For now, all eyes will be on Monza, where the young Italian will have the chance to impress in front of his home crowd.
About The Author
