F1: Toto Wolff lavishes potential Lewis Hamilton replacement after stunning display

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Wolff lavishes potential Hamilton replacement after STUNNING display

Mercedes have a big call to make!

Originally written by Simmey Hannifin Donaldson. This version is a translation.

Monday 15 July 2024 17:00

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has lavished praise on to Lewis Hamilton's potential successor after a stunning display at the British Grand Prix.

Junior star and Formula 2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the man tipped to replace Hamilton at Mercedes when he makes the switch to Ferrari, and his drive at Silverstone certainly did not harm his chances.

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Antonelli has recently admitted that he has struggled to deal with the pressure of reports linking him with being the next in line to the Hamilton throne. Perhaps as a result, the Italian has had a tricky debut campaign in F2, currently sitting 8th in the drivers' standings.

Any pressure was dashed aside at Silverstone last time out, however, where the Italian took a stunning F2 sprint victory in wet conditions.

Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025

Mercedes junior star Andrea Kimi Antonelli could replace Hamilton

Toto Wolff on Andrea Kimi Antonelli

“It was so difficult this year, because the car, you can see that, him and [Oliver] Bearman are struggling a lot with the car, and he isn’t happy with his driving.

“Not the pace in the race, but he was simply stalling twice, and that could have been avoided.

“But seeing him on Saturday, walking over the water, in the time, is bigger than everybody else, you can see the talent and the ability and the potential this young man has.

“Winning that race, he took a lot of weight off his shoulders.”

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Toto Wolff British Grand Prix Andrea Kimi Antonelli