Following the departure of Lewis Hamilton , Mercedes was looking for a young driver to replace Hamilton and they have set their eyes on Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli made his debut in FIA Formula two in 2022 with Prema Racing along with Ollie Bearman, having bypassed Formula three.

He claimed his maiden win in Silverstone sprint race despite the safety cars and three red flags, he managed to claim P1. While his shift to F2 hasn’t been easy and he has yet to learn so many things as a race driver, Antonelli would take the challenge as he would enter Formula one soon. Prior to the reports of Antonelli joining Mercedes, he participated in test for Mercedes, at the Red Bull ring in Austria.

Hamilton’s era in Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton, the 7 times world Champion, took Mercedes to another new level of F1. With a potential starry career ahead, Hamilton was picked up from McLaren Mercedes Young Driver’s Program, and in 2006, as a rookie driver he ensured that he was going to stay longer to leave a mark behind.

He joined McLaren and left no stone unturned to beat his rival teammate then Spaniard Fernando Alonso, two times World Champion. Mercedes took the chance of signing the young Briton and in a few years, the Silver Arrows became the star team of Formula One. With eight Constructor Championship, Mercedes is making yet another gamble with Kimi Antonelli, after Hamilton’s shocking departure to Ferrari.

Kimi Antonelli to fill Hamilton’s shoes

The Italian driver is excited to follow the steps of the 7 times World Champion, as the latter did in GP2 ( former F2) and F1. His slow start in this season sparked some doubts about signing an inexperienced rookie, Mercedes were in talks with Carlos Sainz too, but his maiden win in F2 followed by his tests with Mercedes was nothing less than a confirmation.

With Sainz moving to Williams, it has been guaranteed Antonelli will join Mercedes in the next team alongside George Russell.He would have signed a two years contract with the team, with an extend option beyond 2026.As of now Antonelli is focused on winning the rest of the races in F2, before he gears up for F1, while he is pivoting in the test programme with Mercedes winning cars.

Mercedes’s take on the 17 year old driver

Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes has always been supportive of Antonelli. Despite his futile start in F2, Wolff never stopped believing in him, he said that as a young driver, you are bound to make mistakes but give a good finish in the end.

After a bad qualifying, Antonelli made a call to Wolff and the Mercedes Chief understood the pressure and frustration. The next race Antonelli claimed his win, while Wolff celebrated his podium win as a mentor and father figure.

Andrew Shovlin, the engineering director of Mercedes had observed Antonelli’s tests and said that his speed is the one thing that won’t go unnoticed, he also added that Antonelli has got a star studded resume and would make an impressive racer in F1 history. Not only Shovlin or Wolff, but the entire Mercedes team is confident about Antonelli’s debut. The signing ceremony would take place in the recent Monza GP, with Lewis passing the baton to his successor Antonelli.