MONZA.- Teenager Kimi Antonelli was chosen to replace Lewis Hamilton next year in Mercedesa day after his Formula 1 debut ended with the 18-year-old Italian driver crashing into a wall.
Team principal Toto Wolff had said the crash in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix would have no impact on Antonelli’s chances and confirmation of his appointment as George Russell’s teammate was announced ahead of Saturday’s final practice session at his home event.
There has been much speculation about who would replace Hamilton at Mercedes ever since the seven-time Formula One champion announced he was leaving the team to join Ferrari at the end of the season.
There were even attempts to lure three-time defending champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull, but Wolff said he had always wanted to go with Antonelli, who has been with Mercedes since joining its junior programme at the age of 12.
“I made the decision five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was going to Ferrari,” Wolff told reporters at Monza. “Obviously we discussed other options and we also considered the idea of Max, we didn’t completely rule it out seeing what was happening at Red Bull.”
“But instinctively, that alignment with those two is the one I always wanted.”
However, the door does not appear to be entirely closed on Verstappen signing next year, with Mercedes saying the Russell-Antonelli line-up was only for 2025.
Wolff was coy when asked about the matter. He said he believes “100% that they are the best option” for the team, but acknowledged that “the most important thing is to see how George and Kimi adapt” to the “pressure cooker” that is Mercedes.
Limited experience
After winning titles in Karting and Formula 4, Antonelli only moved up to F2 this year and has won two races.
Antonelli, who turned 18 last Sunday, has big shoes to fill given Hamilton broke a string of records with Mercedes while developing into one of the all-time greats.
“I don’t think it’s possible to replace Lewis Hamilton,” said Antonelli, who will become the third-youngest driver in F1 history when the 2025 season starts in Australia in March. “He’s a great figure in the sport today and has achieved so much in his career. I don’t want to be seen as a replacement.”
Antonelli’s highly anticipated debut on Friday lasted just a couple of laps and 10 minutes after he lost control of his Mercedes at the Parabolica with a spin and slid backwards into the gravel, hitting the barrier.
Excitement was mounting at Monza over the prospect of having an Italian driver after many years. Italy has had to wait since 2006 for a F1 triumph, let alone a title. Its last champion was Alberto Ascari in 1953.
