Mercedes has confirmed Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli will exchange Lewis Hamilton firstly of the 2025 Formulation 1 season.
Hamilton introduced in February that he would be part of Ferrari subsequent yr, whereas Mercedes have chosen rising star Antonelli, who turned 18 final Sunday, to be George Russell’s team-mate on a one-year deal.
Antonelli made his debut in follow for the Italian Grand Prix on Friday however crashed within the early levels of the race, including some luster to a weekend of celebrations for driver and group.
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Kimi Antonelli misplaced management of his Mercedes and suffered a critical crash throughout first follow for the Italian Grand Prix.
When he makes his debut on the season opener in Australia subsequent March, he’ll turn into the third youngest F1 driver in historical past at simply 18 years and 203 days – solely Max Verstappen and Lance St. Trower was youthful when he debuted.
Antonelli’s look at Monza is a part of the group’s plan to fast-track him to the highest of the game, which incorporates testing in older Mercedes vehicles and additional F1 follow periods earlier than the tip of the season. .
There’s a risk that Antonelli may transfer to Williams Racing to exchange Logan Sargent for the rest of the 2024 season, however Wolff believes the younger star will probably be higher outfitted to finish his second spell at Prema Racing. Formulation 1 racing actions and check program with Mercedes.
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Lewis Hamilton believes Kimian Antonelli can be a wonderful option to fill the Mercedes seat earlier than he leaves for Ferrari.
Antonelli stated: “It feels nice to have the ability to announce that we’ll be a Mercedes driver with George in 2025.”
“It’s been a dream of mine since I used to be a child to get into F1; I’d prefer to thank the group for the assist they’ve given me up to now in my profession and the assumption they’ve put in me. I’m nonetheless studying so much however I really feel prepared for this chance .
“I will deal with getting higher and getting the perfect outcomes for the group.
“I am additionally excited to be George’s teammate. He got here via the group’s youth program like me and is somebody I respect very a lot.
“He is tremendous quick, a a number of Grand Prix winner and has already helped me enhance as a driver. I am wanting ahead to studying from him and dealing collectively to attain outcomes on the monitor.”
Mercedes opens door for Verstappen
Each Antonelli and Russell’s contracts expire on the finish of 2025, so Mercedes has not confirmed any drivers for 2026 when F1’s new laws start.
Toto Wolff has made it clear publicly that he needs to signal Max Verstappen from Purple Bull, having held talks with the reigning world champion’s administration over the summer season.
“What I like about Max, Raymond and Jos Verstappen is that we are able to speak immediately. We do not have to push one another,” Wolff stated ultimately week’s Dutch Grand Prix.
“We have been at this for too lengthy. We have already decided for subsequent yr’s drivers. That is what we’re all about.
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Lewis Hamilton believes Kimian Antonelli can be a wonderful option to fill the Mercedes seat earlier than he leaves for Ferrari.
“Hopefully this would be the roster for 2026 and past. Nevertheless it would not shut the door on Max being with us in 2026 or past as a result of we nonetheless need to maintain all choices open as he does. So I am like in our conversations There may be by no means a hidden agenda.
“One way or the other I really feel like this [that Mercedes and Verstappen’s paths will cross]. However I don’t know when that will probably be. Is it ’26 years previous’ or ‘three years later’, I do not know but.
Sky Sports activities F1 Italian Grand Prix reside schedule
Saturday, August thirty first
8.25am: F3 dash
11.15am: Italian Grand Prix follow three (begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 dash
2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix qualifying preparations
3pm: Italian Grand Prix qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, September 1
7:30 am: F3 Particular Race
9 a.m.: F2 Particular Race
11 a.m.: Porsche Tremendous Cup
12:30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Preparations for the Italian Grand Prix
2pm: Italian Grand Prix
4pm: Checkered flag: Reactions to the Italian Grand Prix
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast reside on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
The 2024 Formulation 1 season continues with this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
