Mercedes star Antonelli issues EXIT statement following team switch…More
Mercedes star Antonelli issues EXIT statement following team switch
Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old rising star in motorsport, has released a farewell statement ahead of his move to Mercedes for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Antonelli is set to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari after 12 seasons and six world championships with the Silver Arrows.
Despite finishing sixth in the 2024 Formula 2 season, Antonelli is viewed as a future F1 talent, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is expected to carefully nurture his development alongside George Russell.
Hamilton’s departure marks a significant shift for Mercedes, leaving Russell as the team’s lead driver while Antonelli represents Wolff’s long-term vision.
Antonelli’s promotion highlights the faith Mercedes has in his potential despite his relatively limited F2 success.
Antonelli isn’t the only young driver making a major leap next season.
His Prema teammate, Ollie Bearman, has secured a full-time seat with Haas after impressing as a reserve driver in 2024.
Bearman made headlines when he scored points on his F1 debut for Ferrari, outperforming Lewis Hamilton at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix while stepping in for Carlos Sainz.
As both Formula 1 and Formula 2 head into the winter break, Antonelli took to Instagram to bid farewell to Prema Racing.
Reflecting on their time together, he expressed gratitude for the team’s support and shared his excitement for the next chapter.
“End of an incredible journey with @prema_team! I want to thank each one of them for all the great moments we had together.
Grazie di tutto❤️ Now eyes on the future for the new journey 🤩,” Antonelli wrote.
Both Antonelli and Bearman now face significant challenges in Formula 1, with high expectations on their shoulders as they transition to the sport’s top tier.
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