Lewis Hamilton‘s upcoming vacant spot on the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has just been filled!
The 39-year-old Formula 1 driver announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the team after 11 years, and there has been speculation as to who would take his spot.
Ahead of the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes officially revealed what many have been expecting – Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be promoted from F2 to F1 for the 2025 season!
Keep reading to find out more…
Kimi, who made his FP1 debut on Friday (August 30), just turned 18 years old this past week and hails from Bologna, Italy.
He joined the Mercedes junior program in 2019, and had his first test with the team back in April, followed by his free practice debut this week ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Now, Kimi will join George Russell on the Mercedes team in 2025, making him the third driver being promoted to F1 next year. Find out who else is moving up!
“Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed,” Team Principal Toto Wolff said in a statement. “We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.
“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent,” he added. “George [Russell] has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.”
“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process,” Toto continued. “In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”
“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” Kimi shared. “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,” he continued. “I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just 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.”
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