Lewis Hamilton News: F1 champ could be REPLACED at Italian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton could be REPLACED at Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has confirmed Andrea Kimi Antonelli will feature at Monza

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Monday 26 August 2024 01:00

Mercedes superstar and seven-time Formula 1 world champion is set to be replaced at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend as his exit from the team looms.

Team chief Toto Wolff confirmed this at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, with one of Hamilton's potential successors when he departs for Ferrari set to drive his car in FP1 at Monza.

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Hamilton had a difficult weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, receiving a three-place grid penalty after impeding Sergio Perez in qualifying and failing to set a time quick enough to get out of Q2.

As a result, the seven-time world champion started the race in P14 and could only manage to climb up to P8 - a long way off the dizzying heights of Spa and Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton had a tough weekend in Zandvoort

Toto Wolff has reportedly confirmed Hamilton will be replaced for FP1 at Monza

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Despite the announcement that Hamilton will leave for Ferrari at the end of 2024 coming in advance of this season, his replacement at the Silver Arrows is yet to be announced.

Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is expected to drive with the team next year, after impressing in various feeder series championships and when testing old F1 machinery.

Toto Wolff confirms Kimi Antonelli FP1 outing for Monza

The Italian bypassed Formula 3 to enter the Formula 2 championship this season, where he has achieved a sprint race victory at Silverstone and a feature race win in Hungary.

Wolff has now said that it will be Antonelli driving one of the team's cars in FP1 in Monza, making his debut in an F1 session.

That is according to The Athletic's Luke Smith, who reports that the Mercedes chief has confirmed as such.

Wolff has described the promotion as an ‘emotional moment’ as Antonelli - a Mercedes junior protege - makes his debut in an F1 session.

Max Verstappen Mercedes Toto Wolff Dutch Grand Prix Italian Grand Prix