P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has announced that Junior Driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton to compete with the team in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Antonelli was considered the leading candidate to make the step-up to Mercedes ever since the blockbuster revelation that Hamilton will move to Ferrari materialised. The Italian has been dovetailing his […]
Antonelli was announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George Russell for the 2025 season, being considered the leading candidate for the step-up following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. The 18-year-old Italian, who crashed during his F1 debut at Monza FP1, has had a successful maiden Formula 2 campaign with two victories. Antonelli will be partnering with George Russell, who has already achieved two wins with Mercedes since joining in 2022, as Mercedes invests in youth with Max Verstappen committed to Red Bull until 2028. Both drivers expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, aiming to deliver strong results and learn from each other in the upcoming season. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss, emphasized the strength of their new driver line-up, combining experience, talent, and youth, with a focus on developing home-grown talent and continuing to compete at the top of the field.
