Mercedes confirm teenage star Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for next season less than 24 hours after high-speed crash on his debut in practice session at Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes confirm teenage star Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for next season less than 24 hours after high-speed crash on his debut in practice session at Italian Grand Prix Kimi Antonelli has been confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes replacement Hamilton, 39, is set to head to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season Antonelli crashed out of first practice at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday By Sam Brookes Published: 08:39, 31 August 2024 | Updated: 08:46, 31 August 2024 e-mail View comments Teenager Kimi Antonelli has been named as Lewis Hamilton 's replacement at Mercedes for next season. Hamilton announced earlier this year that he will be joining Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, leaving Mercedes searching for his successor. They confirmed on Saturday morning that it will be Antonelli to drive alongside George Russell next season.

Their announcement comes less than 24 hours after Antonelli was involved in a 160mph crash on his Mercedes debut in the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix. The Italian lost control at the Parabolica, careered across the gravel before hitting the tyre wall sideways — an impact measured at 45G. Kimi Antonelli (pictured) has been confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes Antonelli crashed on his Mercedes debut in the first practice session at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday But Mercedes have still opted to bring him in for next season as Hamilton prepares to leave for Ferrari Our 2025 F1 driver line-up confirmed ✅ Kimi Antonelli will race alongside George Russell next season 👊 — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 31, 2024 Not the FP1 outing that Kimi Antonelli was looking for 😔 #F1 #ItalianGP pic.



twitter.com/KmEHF8Ewv8 — Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2024 Antonelli, who turned 18 last Sunday, was taken to the medical centre for checks but was fit enough to take part in the Formula Two session later in the afternoon. He will not compete in the F1 race tomorrow, with George Russell taking over driving duties as planned for the remainder of the weekend.

Team principal Toto Wolff grimaced in the Mercedes garage as Antonelli spun off but backed the kid he has supported through the team’s junior programme, saying: ‘He’s a rookie, he’s very young, and we are prepared to invest in his future. ‘These moments will happen. They will continue to happen next year.

But there will also be a lot of highlights. ‘What we saw today is we have a problem slowing him down rather than making him faster, because what we’ve seen from one-and-a-half laps is just astonishing.’ Wolff has been true to his word about investing in Antonelli, with the exciting prospect now set to get his chance to prove he belongs at the highest level.

But he will have big shoes to fill once Hamilton departs. The Brit has won six of his seven world titles at Mercedes during an incredibly successful 11-year stay with the team. BBC Lewis Hamilton George Russell Toto Wolff Share or comment on this article: Mercedes confirm teenage star Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for next season less than 24 hours after high-speed crash on his debut in practice session at Italian Grand Prix e-mail Add comment.