Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirmed at Mercedes-AMG F1 for 2025

Following Lewis Hamilton’s announcement in February that he’d be leaving the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team at the end of this season to join Ferrari, his replacement has finally been announced – Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old from Bologna, whose been part of Mercedes’ junior programme since he was 12, had been scheduled to make his F1 debut in 2026, but Hamilton’s departure has moved that forward a year.

Considered by some to be as talented as both Hamilton and Max Verstappen were at the same age, Antonelli will partner George Russell at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1, who came through the same works development programme.

“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” Antonelli said. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me.

“I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.

“I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for. He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track.”

Antonelli’s initial successes came in karting, where he won the FIA Karting European Championship and WSK Euro Series. The move to single seaters saw him win the ADAC and Italian Formula 4 titles in 2022, then both the Formula Regional European and Middle East Championships in 2023.

Bypassing F3 to move straight into Formula 2 with Prema Racing this year, Antonelli has achieved two wins and one podium at time of writing.

As this year’s test driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Antonelli cut his first laps in older W12 (2021-spec) and W13 (2022-spec) cars in April, then drove Russell’s W15 in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix in August.