Antonelli: 'It's not possible to replace Lewis Hamilton!'

Hamilton and Ferrari announced they had agreed to a deal before the 2024 season even started. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff later claimed he decided that Antonelli would replace him almost immediately, but a deal wasn't announced until the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The months before included Wolff flirting with Max Verstappen.

Antonelli to replace Hamilton

Hamilton's stint at Mercedes is one of the greatest driver/team partnerships in Formula 1 history. Hamilton won six World Championships with the team, and they took home the constructors' world title every year between 2014 and 2021. Hamilton cemented his place as one of the best drivers in history, and Anontelli knows he has big shoes to fill.

"It's not possible to replace Lewis Hamilton. He's such a great figure in the sport of today. And he has achieved so much in his career. So I don't want to see it as his replacement. I'm just the next driver for Mercedes in 2025," Antonelli told GPblog and others at a Mercedes press conference in Monza.

"So I'm really excited for that. He's [Hamilton] a really great guy. He's been giving me some support. So yeah, really, really happy," Antonelli added before Wolff highlighted some of Hamilton's achievements with Mercedes. The team boss agreed with his future driver.

"When Lewis decided to go for another challenge, no one can replace him in all of his, let's say, stature. But that doesn't mean that the team is not going to prosper with two drivers that represent the future. And I'm sure if we are capable of giving George [Russell] and Kimi a car, that we will be winning races and championships. And hopefully continue the legacy of championship titles that Lewis left here with these two and as Mercedes," Wolff added.