Mercedes has officially announced that 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli will be joining George Russell on the team for the 2025 season.
Mercedes had been weighing their options ever since Hamilton revealed his plans to leave at the end of the season to join Ferrari. And just a day after Antonelli made his FP1 debut at his home Grand Prix in Monza, Mercedes confirmed the news on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix.
After clinching the ADAC and Italian F4 titles in 2022, followed by the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023, Antonelli skipped F3 and went straight to F2 with PREMA this season.
Despite his inexperience, the Mercedes junior has already claimed two race victories and currently sits sixth in the championship standings. Alongside his F2 campaign, Antonelli has been gaining valuable experience testing older-spec F1 machinery with Mercedes.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” Antonelli shared, his excitement palpable. “F1 has been a dream since I was a little boy, and I’m grateful to the team for the support they’ve given me and the trust they’ve shown. I’m still learning a lot, but I feel ready for this opportunity. My focus is on improving and delivering the best results for the team.”
With this move, Mercedes is showcasing its commitment to nurturing home-grown talent. Russell, who will be entering his fourth season with Mercedes, has been a part of the team’s junior programme since 2017. Now, Antonelli follows in his footsteps, making the jump to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff expressed his enthusiasm for the new driver lineup: “Our 2025 lineup is a blend of experience, talent, youth, and raw speed. George and Kimi each bring something unique to the table, and together, they form a partnership that’s perfect for the next chapter of our story. This also highlights the strength of our junior programme and our belief in developing our own talent.”
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Russell added, “We’re building a lot of positive momentum heading into next year. We’re working hard to put all the pieces in place to fight for world championships. It’s an exciting journey, and I’m confident Kimi and I can push the team forward and help deliver on the promise we’re showing.”
Antonelli’s FP1 debut at Monza didn’t go exactly as planned—he crashed after just five laps—but he rebounded quickly, qualifying sixth in F2 later that day. The young Italian is expected to get another chance to drive for Mercedes in FP1 later this year, with the team eyeing Mexico as a potential venue.
Photo Credits: Formula One Official Media