One day after his training crash, Mercedes confirmed 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the future regular driver of the German Formula 1 factory team. The teenager from Bologna will thus – as expected for some time – be Lewis Hamilton’s successor at the Silver Arrows. The 39-year-old record world champion will move to Ferrari after this season.
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It had long been an open secret that Mercedes would choose Antonelli. Team boss Toto Wolff had said this more or less often and openly. The announcement was made in Monza at Ferrari’s home race, where the Scuderia usually likes to announce personnel changes.
Antonelli, who ended up in a tire stack after just a few minutes on Friday during his training debut in a current Mercedes, will drive alongside George Russell (26). “Our duo for 2025 combines experience, talent, youth and speed,” said Wolff in a statement: “Our new pairing is perfect to open a new chapter in our history.”
He simply skipped Formula 3
Antonelli had only turned 18 on Sunday – one of the requirements for a Formula 1 driver’s license for several years. However, a rule added in June now allows exceptions.
This is not necessary anyway for the designated Mercedes regular driver, who is known to everyone as Kimi Antonelli.
He comes from Mercedes’ junior development program and is currently driving for the Italian Prema team – like Mick Schumacher once did. In 2022 he won the German Formula 4 championship. He skipped Formula 3 and is driving in Formula 2 this year. He will be a Formula 1 driver from 2025. “Getting into Formula 1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a child,” said Antonelli, whom Wolff wants to make a champion under his leadership.