Mercedes confirms: Young Driver Overtakes Record-Holding World Champion
New teen sensation, Kimi Antonelli, will be Mercedes' regular driver in the Formula 1 scene, following a slight mishap during practice sessions at Monza. Despite this incident, team boss Toto Wolff is thrilled about their dynamic duo for 2025, boasting a mix of expertise, skill, youth, and speed.
Just a day after his near-miss accident, the 18-year-old prodigy from Bologna was officially announced as Lewis Hamilton's successor at Mercedes. The British legend, age 39 and currently holding the world records, is opting for a change, switching to Ferrari.
The team's choice of Antonelli wasn't much of a mystery, as team leader Wolff frequently hinted at the potential partnership in the past. The official declaration, however, took place at the Monza circuit during Ferrari's home race (3 pm/RTL and Sky, live ticker on ntv.de). It's customary for Ferrari to announce personnel changes at this event.
Wolff has always been complimentary of Antonelli, often referring to him as a "child prodigy." During Grand Prix discussions, Wolff expressed, "We need to hold him back, not push him faster."
Joining Antonelli in the driving seat will be 26-year-old George Russell. Wolff described their collaboration as "a perfect blend for writing a new page in our history."
When discussing the future of Russell and Antonelli past 2023, Wolff was tight-lipped during his Saturday media press conference. "These two are our future. They have lengthy contracts. But the complexities are real." Wolff emphasized that "Mercedes is a pressure cooker," but the team remains committed to these two talents.
Turning 18 on the same day, Antonelli met the minimum age requirement for a Formula 1 license for several years. However, recent rule adjustments allow exceptions, which Antonelli, now recognized simply as “Kimi,” doesn't need to consider for his forthcoming Mercedes role.
He is a promising product of Mercedes' junior program, honing his skills with the Prema team – just like Mick Schumacher formerly did. In 2022, he won the German Formula 4 championship, bypassing Formula 3, and is currently excelling in Formula 2 – preparing him for his fated Formula 1 debut in 2025.
"Joining Formula 1 has been a lifelong ambition," Antonelli noted with excitement, eager to embark on this new journey under Wolff's wise guidance in his quest for the championship title.
Hamilton, bidding farewell to Mercedes at the year's end after a 12-year run and six driver titles, will swap sides for Ferrari. Many regard Antonelli as an audacious but promising addition to the team. Simultaneously, Wolff had been persistently courting three-time world champion Max Verstappen to swap teams from Red Bull to Mercedes throughout the year.
Despite the young age of new Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, his talent and success in Formula 2 have earned him praise from team boss Toto Wolff, who referred to him as a "child prodigy." With the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, Antonelli and George Russell will form an exciting and skilled duo in the Formula 1 scene, attracting attention from fans and analysts alike.
