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Toto Wolff All But Confirms Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s Replacement at Mercedes

In a series of recent statements, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has all but confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be stepping up to replace Lewis Hamilton in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The speculation has been rife for months, and Wolff’s latest comments have all but sealed the deal, placing the 18-year-old Italian driver in one of the most coveted seats in motorsport.

Mercedes’ Future in F1: The Antonelli Era Begins

The announcement of Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari has left a significant void in the Mercedes camp, one that many believed would be filled by an experienced driver like Carlos Sainz. However, Sainz’s move to Williams, confirmed earlier this summer, left Mercedes with their young prodigy, Antonelli, as the leading candidate to partner George Russell in the coming seasons.

Wolff has made no secret of his admiration for Antonelli, who has been part of the Mercedes junior program for years. The teenager’s rapid ascent through the ranks has been nothing short of impressive, with Wolff and the team fast-tracking him to Formula 2 this season. Although Antonelli’s results in F2 have not been eye-catching, this is seen as more reflective of the competitiveness of his Prema team rather than his own performance. His numerous F1 tests this year have further solidified Mercedes’ belief in his potential.

In a recent interview, Wolff hinted heavily at Antonelli’s promotion, stating, “We will soon confirm who will get [the] second place.” However, Wolff went a step further, all but revealing the team’s plan when he added, “We came to the conclusion together in the summer that we should not wait for something to happen before we commit to 2025. I want it to work with George and Kimi.”

A Star in the Making: Antonelli’s Rise

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is no stranger to the spotlight, having been touted as the next big thing in motorsport for several years. Born in Bologna, Italy, Antonelli has been climbing the motorsport ladder with a level of skill and maturity beyond his years. His birthday, falling on the Sunday before the Italian Grand Prix, adds a poetic touch to what could be the start of his F1 career.

Mercedes have long believed that Antonelli could be their answer to Max Verstappen, the current dominant force in F1. Wolff had initially hoped to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull to create a dream team with Russell at Mercedes. However, the Dutchman’s loyalty to Red Bull and their continued dominance made that an unrealistic prospect, at least for 2025. Despite this, Wolff has not ruled out a future move for Verstappen, leaving the door open for 2026.

“What I like with Max, Raymond [Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager] and Jos [Verstappen] is that we talk straight, we have been in this too long. We have taken the decision for drivers for next year. This is what our full effort is going into,” said Wolff.

The Future of Mercedes: A New Era Begins

With Hamilton’s departure marking the end of an era, Mercedes is clearly looking to the future with a youthful lineup. Antonelli’s partnership with George Russell is anticipated to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, bringing together two of the most promising talents in the sport.

Antonelli is set to make his first appearance in an official F1 session during the first practice at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend. This will not only be a significant milestone for the young driver but also a perfect stage for Mercedes to announce their new driver lineup for 2025.

Wolff’s confidence in Antonelli is evident, and while the teenager has big shoes to fill, the team principal is optimistic about the future. “Hopefully, [Russell and Antonelli] is going to be the line-up for 2026 and beyond,” Wolff said, signaling Mercedes’ long-term commitment to their young drivers. However, he also made it clear that they are not closing the door on Verstappen, should the opportunity arise in the future.

As Mercedes prepares for a new chapter, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see if Antonelli can live up to the hype and become the next great champion for the Silver Arrows.