Toto Wolff warned off Lewis Hamilton F1 replacement amid Mercedes uncertainty

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff, Social, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff warned off Hamilton F1 replacement amid Mercedes uncertainty

The Mercedes principal has a controversial decision facing him

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson F1 Editor

Motorsport journalist covering F1 since 2024

Wednesday 19 June 2024 09:13 Updated: 11:52

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Lewis Hamilton is set to depart the Silver Arrows at the end of 2024, linking up with Ferrari for the 2025 season and beyond, having announced a shock switch earlier this year.

As a result, Mercedes are on the lookout for a driver to partner George Russell next season, with names such as Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli all linked.

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Recent comments made by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff have suggested that the latter of those names is very much the focus of their current thoughts.

Drive to Survive star Guenther Steiner has issued a frank warning to Wolff regarding the driver who could replace the seven-time world champion at Mercedes.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a Mercedes junior and F2 driver

Toto Wolff must decide who will replace Lewis Hamilton

Guenther Steiner delivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli warning

If Antonelli does secure the Mercedes drive for 2025, it would mark a meteoric rise to the top for the young Italian.

Just last season, Antonelli was competing in 'Formula Regional' championships, and is yet to complete an F1 FP1 session, although that could soon change following a recent rule change.

Speaking on the Red Flags Podcast in which he discussed several topics relating to the current F1 grid, Steiner heeded a warning regarding the hype around Antonelli.

"Kimi still has to prove that he can do it," Steiner explained.

"Because it’s not as easy [as] just because Toto says he’s the next biggest thing in F1.

"That doesn’t mean it is [true]."

Antonelli currently sits sixth in the F2 standings with five rounds of the championship having taken place.

Antonelli, along with the rest of the F2 grid, will next race in Spain before heading to Austria and Great Britain as part of F1's upcoming European triple-header.