In a significant move for both the team and the young driver, the Mercedes F1 Team has confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will join their roster for the 2025 season. This announcement was made on August 31, 2024, and marks a pivotal moment in Antonelli's career, who at just 18 years old is poised to take the leap from Formula 2 to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Having been a part of Mercedes’ Driver Academy since 2019, Antonelli’s development has been closely monitored by the team. Earlier this year, he participated in testing sessions for the Silver Arrows, including a notable stint at the Red Bull Ring in April as part of the Testing of Previous Car Programme (TPC). This experience paved the way for his entry into Formula 1, after a commendable season in Formula 2 with PREMA Racing, where he currently ranks seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, boasting victories at Silverstone and Budapest.
Antonelli is set to partner George Russell, the 2018 Formula 2 champion, stepping into the seat vacated by veteran driver Lewis Hamilton. This transition underscores Mercedes’ commitment to blending youth with experience in their driver lineup.
Following the announcement, Antonelli expressed his enthusiasm about joining Mercedes, stating, "It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George Russell for 2025. Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity."
His excitement was matched by a determination to succeed: "I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team. I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for. He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track,” Antonelli added.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff shared his thoughts on the new driver lineup, which he described as a combination of "experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed." Wolff commented on the potential of both drivers: "We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership. Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent."
Highlighting George Russell's development, Wolff noted his evolution within the team: "George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but he has also developed into a strong leader within the team."
Reflecting on Antonelli's evolution, he added, "Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. 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. In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”
As the countdown to the 2025 season begins, all eyes will be on the dynamics between Antonelli and Russell, as the Mercedes team aims to harness their youthful energy and experience to compete at the highest level in Formula 1.