Mercedes has lastly confirmed its long-expected resolution to advertise 18-year-old junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to its Formulation 1 crew subsequent yr.
The rookie will make his grand prix debut within the seat beforehand occupied by probably the most profitable driver within the sport’s historical past, seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, when he leaves Mercedes to affix Ferrari.
The crew made its announcement regardless of Antonelli’s unpromising begin to his F1 profession yesterday. Driving his future crew mate George Russell’s automobile within the first observe session, he crashed closely after simply 5 laps. Nevertheless Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff was fast to level out Antonelli had proven spectacular tempo at the start of his transient run.
Antonelli mentioned the affirmation of his promotion to Mercedes’ works crew subsequent yr “is a tremendous feeling.” His new crew mate Russell spent three years at Williams earlier than being promoted to the highest crew two years in the past.
“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I used to be a small boy,” he mentioned. “I need to thank the crew for the help they’ve given me in my profession to date and the religion they’ve proven in me.
“I’m nonetheless studying so much, however I really feel prepared for the chance. I shall be targeted on getting higher and delivering the very best outcomes for the crew.”
A Mercedes junior since 2019, Antonelli rocketed by the junior formulae after an impressive karting profession. He gained the Italian and German Formulation 4 championships in his first full season racing vehicles in 2022, earlier than changing into Formulation Regional European and Formulation Regional Center East champion the subsequent yr.
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Antonelli was promoted immediately into Formulation 2 for this yr, taking a seat at Prema alongside future Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Regardless of a difficult begin to the season for Prema, Antonelli has taken two race victories in his rookie marketing campaign within the sequence to date, successful the Silverstone dash race and the function race on the Hungaroring.
As part of Mercedes’ junior driver programme, Antonelli has additionally examined the crew’s Formulation 1 vehicles on a number of events this season, together with the bottom effect-era W13 from 2022.
Wolff mentioned Mercedes’ selection of drivers for subsequent yr “combines expertise, expertise, youth and out-and-out uncooked pace.”
“We’re enthusiastic about what George and Kimi convey to the crew each as particular person drivers, but additionally as a partnership. Our new line-up is ideal to open the subsequent chapter in our story. It’s also a testomony to the power of our junior programme and our perception in home-grown expertise.”
He acknowledged Antonelli faces “one other huge step up” when he arrives on the crew subsequent yr. Nevertheless Wolff believes Antonelli has “persistently proven the expertise and pace wanted to compete on the very prime of our sport.”
“He has impressed us in his F1 testing this yr and we shall be supporting him each step of the best way within the studying course of,” Wolff added. “In George, he has an skilled crew mate from which he can be taught and hone his craft. I’m assured that each will contribute vastly as we proceed to construct momentum and struggle on the entrance of the sector.”
Antonelli would be the youngest Formulation 1 driver on the grid when he makes his debut within the Australian Grand Prix subsequent March. He would be the third-youngest grand prix driver in historical past at 18 years, six months and 19 days previous, with solely Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll having made their debuts at a youthful age.
View the present record of 2025 F1 drivers and groups
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