Andrea Kimi Antonelli Confirmed as Hamilton's Replacement at Mercedes

Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes F1, announced the promotion of 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is joining Ferrari in 2025. Wolff stated he made the decision to promote Antonelli just five minutes after Hamilton's announcement, despite considering other options, including Max Verstappen. Antonelli is set to partner George Russell, completing a lineup that Wolff believes represents the future of Mercedes. The announcement concludes months of speculation regarding Hamilton's successor, with Wolff emphasizing that Antonelli's rapid rise through the junior ranks warranted his promotion. While details of Antonelli's contract remain unspecified, Wolff assured that both drivers will play a significant role in the team's future.