Formula One racing event - News: Teen Antonelli to Take Over Hamilton's Role
Teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to succeed Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, according to a media report. The 17-year-old's deal is said to be in place, with Bild breaking the news. Hamilton is leaving Mercedes at the end of this season, and he'll be driving for Ferrari in the future.
Team boss Toto Wolff's recent statements also hint at this possibility. Mercedes has stopped negotiations with Carlos Sainz, who currently drives for Ferrari, about a 2025 deal. "We haven't made a decision for next year yet, but we didn't want to wait for Carlos either, because he has to make his own choice," said the 52-year-old Austrian to Sky Sports.
Mercedes is looking to start anew
Sainz has done an impressive job, but Wolff has hinted that Mercedes wants to make some changes in the future. "Kimi Antonelli is definitely a part of that," he added. The teen skipped Formula 3 and is currently competing in Formula 2. Antonelli has also tested old Silver Arrows from Mercedes.
Hamilton supports the young Italian as his potential successor. He isn't sure about Mercedes' plans. "If it were my decision, if it were my role, I would probably take Kimi," said the 39-year-old in May. Another driver Mercedes was interested in driving alongside George Russell was Max Verstappen, world champion from Red Bull.
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- Carlos Sainz, currently driving for Ferrari in Formula 1, was previously in talks with Mercedes for a 2025 deal, but Mercedes has reportedly halted these negotiations.
- Toto Wolff, the team boss at Mercedes, has hinted that the team is looking to make some changes in the future and has mentioned Andrea Kimi Antonelli as part of these plans.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 17-year-old racer currently competing in Formula 2, has tested with Mercedes in the past and has the support of Lewis Hamilton, who stated in May that he would choose Antonelli as his potential successor if it were his decision.
- Mercedes-Benz, the German automobile manufacturer and team sponsor, is set to see a change in their Formula 1 lineup, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton leaving at the end of this season and moving to Ferrari.
- Toto Wolff, in an interview with Sky Sports, mentioned that Mercedes hasn't made any decisions for the next year yet, but they didn't want to wait for Carlos Sainz to make his own choice, signaling a possible shift in the team's lineup.
