Sir Lewis Hamilton shocked his Mercedes team, announcing his departure early in the year. It was a shock for everyone because fans generally thought that the great Briton would retire with the Brackley team. After all, the former McLaren driver joined the German outfit in 2013. Since then, he, along with his team principal Toto Wolff, have accomplished a lot of things at the Silver Arrows outfit. Both of them joined the Silver Arrows in the same year and changed the status of the team. Previously, the German outfit did not look like a title-winning team. But then from 2014 to 2021, Lewis Hamilton won six Driver’s World Championships. Mercedes dominated the turbo-hybrid era.
No other team came close to winning the constructor title back in those days. Hence, the team-driver collaboration has been so iconic that the news of Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari came as a huge shock. But it has been a long time since Toto Wolff has been looking for a suitable replacement for Hamilton. Max Verstappen’s name came along in the discussion as Red Bull has been going through internal turmoil. There was a moment when it looked like the reigning champion would leave the Austrian outfit soon. However, it looks like Mercedes is closing in on Hamilton’s replacement. But it is not the Dutch racer.
Mercedes May Have Found The Ideal Replacement For Lewis Hamilton
At present, no driver in Formula 1 represents Italy. That void might soon disappear as Mercedes closes in on their replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Earlier this month, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was pretty impressive during a test. Mercedes likes the 17-year-old prodigy. They might offer the young Italian driver a seat for the next season. After the Miami Grand Prix, Antonelli drove the Mercedes 2022 car for a test session in Silverstone. Mick Schumacher, the reserve and simulator driver, was also part of the test session. On the contrary to the reports, Mercedes made it clear that the test was not a shootout to fill the gap that Hamilton’s departure will create.
As per the Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport, George Russell was also part of the test. Moreover, Andrea Kimi Antonelli turned out to be faster than both Russell and Schumacher over a long run. During a qualifying run, Antonelli was as fast as George Russell as per reports. But there is no confirmation regarding the tires they used during that run. Neither is there any information regarding when they conducted the respective outings of the drivers. But it very clear that the Silver Arrows managed to gauge the performance of the Italian driver that, resulting in his favor. As per sources, Antonelli will make his F1 debut for Mercedes in 2025.
The German Outfit Has No Doubt Over The Young Italian Driver’s Capabilities
According to F1’s super license rules, drivers cannot compete in Formula 1 before turning 18. But Andrea Kimi Antonelli will turn 18 this August 25. In 2024, Kimi skipped the F3 championship to make his F2 debut with Prema. Perhaps that’s the reason why Antonelli’s management wants him to finish the F2 season before making his F1 debut. Generally, Prema is a powerhouse in the F2 seasons.
But this year, they are going through a tough season. That’s the reason why the talented pair of Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli has not yet had a podium finish. Nevertheless, Mercedes is well aware of the issues that the Prema team is dealing with this season. Hence, they have no doubt over Antonelli’s capabilities.
Stay tuned with Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team.