Kimi Antonelli’s debut with Mercedes in F1 is nearing closer – and the young Italian has huge shoes to fill.
Toto Wolff has trusted the 18-year-old to step up from F2 after one season and take on the challenge of racing in the pinnacle of motorsport. Antonelli will be partnered with George Russell in 2025.
Mercedes have grown a huge support network around Antonelli as they prepare him for this season. The Brackley-based outfit rate the Italian highly and want to develop him into a future world champion.
Antonelli has already completed 9,000km in testing as well as making appearances in FP1 in Monza and Mexico City in 2024 – crashing in the former in what was his first outing on an F1 weekend.
Antonelli was signed by Mercedes for 2025 the day after the accident, showing just how highly the team view the teenager. But he will be under huge pressure to deliver results as he joins a top team and replaces Lewis Hamilton.
Kimi Antonelli does not feel like Lewis Hamilton’s replacement but rather ‘the next Mercedes driver’
Making your debut for Mercedes will bring huge expectations as it is. Making your debut for the team as the one replacing F1’s most successful driver statistically will bring an incredible amount of pressure – especially given the hype around Antonelli.
Teammate Russell thinks Antonelli has the raw speed to compete from the off – which could potentially see him beat Hamilton’s feat and win the title in his rookie season. But the 18-year-old has the seven-time champion in the back of his mind.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Autosport awards, Antonelli admitted he does not see himself as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement. While he understands it is a ‘big responsibility’ to replace the Brit, the Italian wants to make the best out of the opportunity.
“You never know. I mean, first of all, we’ll see in the first race how I feel also speed-wise and also how I adapt as well”, he said.
“Of course, it’s a big seat, but I don’t feel like the replacement of Lewis. I just feel [like] the next Mercedes driver. But of course, it’s a big responsibility because I’m racing for Mercedes and it’s great opportunity and I’ll try to make the best out of it”.
How David Croft thinks Kimi Antonelli will do on his F1 debut in Australia
Antonelli will make his debut with Mercedes at the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16. He will become the third youngest F1 driver of all time at the race behind Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen.
Antonelli could become the youngest F1 winner in his first three races in 2025. The 18-year-old has 25 days from the day of the race in Melbourne to break Verstappen’s record set at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
While Wolff does not have high expectations for Antonelli’s debut, there are plenty who do think the young talent will perform from the first display of the lights.
David Croft predicts Antonelli will grab a podium in Australia, just highlighting the amount of pressure that will be on the teenager’s shoulders.
Mercedes could demote Antonelli if he fails to perform in 2025. While the team think of him highly, it may be wise to have a spell on the sidelines if the jump to F1 initially proves difficult.
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