Mercedes F1 announce official update on Lewis Hamilton replacement Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes

Mercedes announce official update on Hamilton replacement

Kimi Antonelli replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025

By Sheona Mountford.

Wednesday 5 February 2025 04:00

Mercedes have made an official announcement regarding Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 replacement within the team.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to drive for the Silver Arrows this upcoming season following the seven-time champion's exit, partnering George Russell.

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Antonelli was named Italian F4 champion in 2022, and claimed three more regional championships before joining F2 last season, bypassing F3.

While the 18-year-old only secured two race wins in 2024, Mercedes bosses remained convinced of his speed and promoted him to the F1 team, where he will drive alongside George Russell.

Toto Wolff opted for Kimi Antonelli in 2025

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Despite demonstrating blistering pace within the opening stages of the session, the youngster crashed at Parabolica in an embarrassing end to his debut.

However, Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, has remained supportive of Antonelli and suggested that whilst there will be ‘mistakes’, he believes this season is a development year that will allow him to fight in 2026.

“There will be moments where we tear our clothes off over mistakes, and then there will be moments of brilliance again, where you see this talent come through,” Wolff said to ORF last year.

“But the main thing next year is to develop. 2026 will be a very important year for us as an engine manufacturer. And we want him to be ready for that.”

Ahead of Antonelli’s full-time F1 debut, Mercedes have dropped an official update on his future with the team, revealing his new driver number for the 2025 season in a social media release.

“Our number 12,” the team wrote in Italian, as they shared a snippet of the 2025 car Antonelli will drive.

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Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Mercedes George Russell Toto Wolff Liam Lawson