P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has made its decision – it has now officially signed the driver that will replace Lewis Hamilton at the team next year.
Mercedes has confirmed its 2025 F1 driver lineup, announcing young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a full-time driver. Antonelli is set to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will be moving to Ferrari next year. At 18 years old, Antonelli is poised to become the third youngest F1 driver in history behind Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll. Antonelli’s journey includes a title victory in the Formula Regional European Championship, leading to his current rookie season in Formula 2. Having been part of Mercedes’ junior program since 2019, Antonelli expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating his readiness to learn and contribute to the team alongside teammate George Russell. Joining forces with Russell, Antonelli aims to grow as a driver and collaborate towards achieving success on the racetrack.
