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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been confirmed as replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for 2025, partnering George Russell.В?
Lewis Hamilton shocked the F1 community when he announced that his time at Mercedes will be coming to an end this year. His replacement has been speculated all season long but Mercedes have finally confirmed who will be partnering George Russell in 2025.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a Mercedes Junior driver, joined Formula 2 this year for his rookie season. He skipped Formula 3, coming straight from Formula Regional, which he won in 2023.
Eyes have been on Antonelli throughout his F2 rookie season, and whilst the Italian driver only has a couple of wins to his name, he has impressed those who matter.
Mercedes’ statement
Today, Mercedes have released a statement that confirmed that Antonelli will be making the move up to F1 for 2025. In the team’s statement, Toto Wolff said:
“Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed.
“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.
“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent.
“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.
“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.
“In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”
The 2025 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team driver lineup, confirmed!#PETRONAS #PETRONASMotorsports #outraceyourself pic.twitter.com/4O0yL6d9tB
— PETRONAS Motorsports (@PET_Motorsports) August 31, 2024
Antonelli on reaching F1
Antonelli currently partners Oliver Bearman this year in F2. But now both PREMA drivers will be making the move up to F1 with Bearman having signed for Haas not too long ago.
Speaking himself on graduating to F1, the 18-year old driver said: “It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025.
“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learningВ? a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity.
“I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.”
Antonelli joined the Mercedes Driver Academy back in 2019, the year in which Russell moved to F1 himself. This weekend in Monza, he made his FP1 debut. However, Antonelli suffered a 45G crash at Parabolica.
But, Wolff ensured that whilst Antonelli crashed, Mercedes are “prepared to invest into his future.” And for Mercedes, having had a difficult time since the last regulations, having Antonelli join the team alongside Russell is their way of welcoming a “new chapter”.
Headline image: mercedesamgf1.com