F1 News
Why Wolff believes that Antonelli completes the Mercedes lineup perfectly
One of the biggest rumours that has filled the paddock in 2024 has now become official: Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton and drive for Mercedes alongside George Russell in 2025. After garnering huge praise for the seven-time world champion and being Hamilton's choice to take his seat, the 18-year-old will do so. Team principal and CEO of Mercedes Toto Wolff reacts to the signing of the young Italian.
Wolff "excited" to bring Antonelli to Mercedes for 2025
“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story," said the Austrian team boss in Mercedes' press release early on Saturday morning at the Italian Grand Prix. "It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent. Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed. We are excited about what George [Russell] and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership."
"Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport," continued Wolff. "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." Like Hamilton, Wolff has been very complimentary to Antneli, saying he deserves to replace Hamilton. Now it has become official after a stellar career in the junior formulas.