P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes is seeking a replacement for Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season and this young prospect has received high praise after a recent private test.
A young driver, Kimi Antonelli, has been praised for his performance in a recent private test and is considered a strong candidate to fill Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes. Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, opening up a desirable position on the Formula 1 grid. Despite being only 17 years old, Antonelli has been promoted to the Formula 2 grid after winning the Formula Regional European Championship. He will partner with Oliver Bearman at Prema and aims to impress Mercedes with his talents. Antonelli, who is part of the Mercedes junior programme, has been recognized as a promising talent for the future. While there is speculation about Antonelli potentially joining Mercedes next year, Team Principal Toto Wolff is cautious about rushing his development. Ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok has praised Antonelli, comparing him to a young Max Verstappen and suggesting he could follow a similar path to success in F1.
