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Following in the footsteps of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes is a near-impossible task.
But Hamilton, who will leave Mercedes for Ferrari following the 2024 season, seems to believe that a young teenager is just the man to do so.
Hamilton tabbed 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli as his ideal successor at the team starting in 2025.
Antonelli is a fast-rising star in the Mercedes junior driver team. After a slow start to his career in F2 with Prema Racing, he’s finished fourth in each of his last two feature races.
“Honestly, I have no idea what Toto’s plans are, but for me, taking on a youngster, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi,” Hamilton said.
Racing is in Antonelli’s blood.
His father Marco spent time in the European Touring Car Championship and his middle name, Kimi, is after 2007 Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff Hints At Antonelli As Hamilton Successor
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff recently hinted at the idea of Antonelli joining the team in 2025.
“I guess for the Italians it’s super exciting to have Lewis Hamilton in red next year,” he said at this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. “We will get used to the outfits, but we have got to look at ourselves. Maybe there is an option that we shine more with an Italian in our car, so we’re pushing back hard.”
Antonelli was also one of four options BroBible proposed as a Hamilton replacement in Feburary when the British superstar announced his departure.
Two of those options: Alex Albon and Sergio Perez, look set to re-sign with their current teams, with Albon already having done so.
The third option, Carlos Sainz, is reportedly out of the running for the Mercedes seat.
While Mercedes could certainly look in a different direction, it sure feels like the teenage wunderkind Antonelli is in the driver’s seat. Pun intended.