Lewis Hamilton F1 News: Mercedes star makes Kimi Antonelli prediction after driver announced

Mercedes

Hamilton makes Antonelli prediction after Mercedes announce replacement

The British star has sent a message to the young Italian

Rhys Thomas

Tuesday 3 September 2024 10:57 Updated: 14:39

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Outgoing Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton has predicted how his replacement Kimi Antonelli will fare at the Silver Arrows.

The Brackley-based team finally announced on Saturday that the young Italian would replace Hamilton in 2025, seven months after the Brit's exit was confirmed.

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For much of that time, Mercedes junior and F2 driver Antonelli has been rumoured to be tasked with filling Hamilton's enormous shoes at the team, and now it is official.

Hamilton will be racing against the 18-year-old in 2025, but has sent his replacement a message before he does so.

Lewis Hamilton will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025

Kimi Antonelli has now been confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement

What has Lewis Hamilton said about Kimi Antonelli?

Hamilton has had no involvement in the search for his replacement, though has regularly vocalised his support for the idea that Mercedes should recruit Antonelli.

Hamilton's rookie year in F1 saw him thrust into a team competing for wins, and he picked up four victories in his debut season with McLaren.

Should Mercedes continue their upturn in form - the W15 has three wins to its name in the previous six races - Antonelli could find himself in a similar position.

However, whereas Hamilton replaced Pedro de la Rosa and partnered reigning double world champion Fernando Alonso, Antonelli will line-up alongside an easier - though still a stern - test in George Russell.

On his Instagram story, Hamilton offered his well wishes to the young Italian, and predicted him to be a worthy addition at Mercedes from 2025.

"Congrats @‌kimi.antonelli. I have no doubt that you’ll bring a lot to the team alongside George next year ??,” he wrote.

Lewis Hamilton congratulates Kimi Antonelli (@lewishamilton)

Antonelli made his F1 debut with Mercedes in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix, though his session came to an untimely end after just 10 minutes when he hit the barrier.

That did not affect his standing with team principal Toto Wolff, who confirmed the 2025 line-up one day later.