Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the primary free follow forward of the F1 Italian Grand Prix race on the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photograph/Luca Bruno)
MONZA, Italy — Teenager Kimi Antonelli has been named as Lewis Hamilton’s alternative subsequent yr at Mercedes, a day after his Components One debut ended within the 18-year-old Italian driver hitting the wall.
Staff principal Toto Wolff had mentioned the crash in first follow for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix would haven’t any impression on Antonelli’s F1 possibilities, and affirmation of his elevation to companion with George Russell was introduced forward of Saturday’s remaining follow at his house occasion.
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Hypothesis has been rampant on who would substitute Hamilton at Mercedes, because the seven-time F1 champion introduced he was departing for Ferrari on the finish of the season.
READ: F1: Kimi Antonelli crashes in follow debut for Mercedes
There have been even makes an attempt to woo three-time defending champion Max Verstappen from Crimson Bull however Wolff mentioned he at all times wished to go together with Antonelli, who has been with Mercedes since he joined its junior program when he was 12.
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“I made up my thoughts 5 minutes after Lewis Hamilton informed me that he’s going to Ferrari,” Wolff informed reporters at Monza. “Clearly, we had been discussing with different choices and in addition saved the Max concept, didn’t low cost it utterly with taking a look at what occurred at Crimson Bull.
“However instinctively, that’s the lineup with these two that I at all times wished.”
Nevertheless, the door doesn’t seem like utterly closed to Verstappen signing the next yr, with Mercedes saying that at this stage the Russell-Antonelli lineup was just for 2025.
Wolff remained coy when pressed on the matter. He mentioned he believes “100% that they’re your best option” for the staff however acknowledged it was “most vital is to see how George and Kimi settle in” on the “stress cooker” that’s Mercedes.
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“I don’t flirt outdoors, I’ve at all times mentioned it,” Wolff continued. “All of our focus within the staff is on George and Kimi. There’s no dialogue, there’s no second ideas about what we’re doing in 2026, as a result of now it’s about 2024 and 2025.
“And if flirting outdoors occurs, then they’ll understand it on the similar time when now we have these discussions, I at all times imply that.”
After titles in Karting and Components 4, Antonelli solely made the step as much as F2 this yr, profitable two races.
Antonelli, who turned 18 simply final Sunday, has massive boots to fill with Hamilton having damaged a slew of information with Mercedes as he developed into one of many biggest racing drivers of all time.
READ: F1: Max Verstappen high of Mercedes’ listing to switch Lewis Hamilton
“Effectively, I feel it’s not potential to switch Lewis Hamilton,” mentioned Antonelli, who could be the third-youngest driver in F1 historical past when the 2025 season kicks off in Australia subsequent March. “He’s such an incredible determine within the sport of right now. And he has achieved a lot in his profession. So I don’t need to see as his alternative.
“I’m simply the subsequent driver for Mercedes in 25. So I’m actually excited for that. And he’s a very nice man, he’s been giving me some help. So yeah, actually, actually completely happy.”
Antonelli’s much-anticipated first look on Friday lasted fewer than two laps, and solely 10 minutes, after he misplaced management of his Mercedes on the Parabolica, spinning off and sliding backward by means of the gravel into the tire barrier.
There have been promising indicators for the restricted time he was on the observe, with Wolff labelling it “astonishing.” The debutant had simply set the quickest center sector of the session and was seeking to reclaim the quickest time from Hamilton, who had simply crushed Antonelli’s first lap by 0.6 seconds.
“Our new lineup is ideal to open the subsequent chapter in our story,” Wolff mentioned. “Additionally it is a testomony to the power of our junior program and our perception in homegrown expertise.
“Kimi has constantly proven the expertise and velocity wanted to compete on the very high of our sport,” Wolff added. “We all know will probably be one other massive step up, however he has impressed us in his F1 testing this yr and we will likely be supporting him each step of the best way within the studying course of.”
Pleasure had been rising at Monza over the prospect of a primary Italian F1 driver in three years.
Italy has needed to wait since 2006 for a win in F1 and for much longer for the title, because the final Italian champion was Alberto Ascari in 1953.
