Photo: Mercedes-AMG F1
Kimi Antonelli is brushing off the significance of replacing Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 line-up, saying he “just feel like the next Mercedes driver”.
The 18-year-old not only takes the seat of the most successful F1 driver of all time, but does so as a rookie having come sixth in Formula 2 in 2024. He will be team-mate to George Russell, a fellow graduate of Mercedes’ driver development programme.
Antonelli first tested an F1 car 10 months ago, and since then has contested two practice sessions and post-season testing in contemporary machinery while doing private tests in older chassis.
“The mountain is going to be going there and trying to win but at the same time you have to be realistic, I am racing against the 19 best drivers in the world,” Antonelli said exclusively to Formula Scout at the 2025 Autosport Awards.
“It’s not going to be easy but I’m just focused on the work I’ve got to do and do the best job possible while learning as much as possible and then we see where we end up.”
The Italian is one of six drivers contesting their first full season in F1 this year, and is delighted to see so many rookies on the grid.
“I’m happy to be stepping up with some former rivals. I’m really looking forward to racing against Ollie [Bearman, his Formula 2 team-mate] as well: he’s a great guy, a great team-mate and I got along really well with him last year.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also spoke to Formula Scout, and heaped praise on the latest graduate of Mercedes’ driver development programme but said he and his colleagues must protect Antonelli and “manage his expectations”.
“Everybody’s going to think he’s going to be on pole and win the [season-opening] race in Melbourne and as much as we would like to dream the most important thing is to let him develop,” he said.
Such high expectations exist due to past statements about Antonelli’s performance potential, which have accompanied stellar results in junior single-seaters. He won two Formula 4 titles and two Formula Regional titles before jumping up to F2 last year, looked fast in his F1 practice outings, and this year’s Mercedes F1 W16 is anticipated to be a highly competitive car.
“Of course its a big seat but I don’t feel like the replacement of Lewis, I just feel like the next Mercedes driver. I’m just going to try and make the most out of the opportunity,” reiterated Antonelli, who now has little over a month before his F1 race debut.