Toto Wolff outlines what Kimi Antonelli is doing at Mercedes that makes him ‘very different’ to Lewis Hamilton

Kimi Antonelli has huge shoes to fill at Mercedes in 2025. Toto Wolff chose him as the successor to Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion won six of his titles with the Silver Arrows between 2014 and 2020, creating arguably the sport’s greatest partnership. As Hamilton left to join Ferrari, Mercedes opted to bring in 18-year-old rookie Antonelli to replace him.

That brings an incredible amount of pressure for the Italian as he steps straight into a top team from F2, taking the place of F1’s greatest driver statistically. However, Antonelli is not thinking about Hamilton in 2025 as he sees himself simply as Mercedes’ new driver.

This level of maturity and focus from the 18-year-old has already gone a long way. After four races, Antonelli sits sixth in the standings with 30 points, already displaying some standout performances.

He climbed from P16 to fourth on debut in Melbourne and finished sixth in China and Japan, with Antonelli becoming F1’s youngest Grand Prix leader in the latter. While he finished outside the points in Bahrain, Wolff has every reason to be excited by his new recruit.

Toto Wolff says Kimi Antonelli is ‘his own character’ compared to Lewis Hamilton

Wolff spent 12 years with Hamilton at Mercedes, with the pair going on to create history together with six drivers’ titles and eight consecutive constructors’ championships.

Wolff sent an emotional voice note to Hamilton after their final race in Abu Dhabi in 2024. As one chapter closes, another begin with Antonelli, with some already likening him to the seven-time champion.

Martin Brundle asked Wolff on Sky Sports F1 after FP3 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix if Mercedes had ‘another Lewis Hamilton’ on their hands in Antonelli. The Austrian says he is ‘very different’ to the Brit, as he is ‘his own character’ at the team.

“I think they’re all so different and I’ve been Lewis for a long time. Kimi as a character is… it’s his own character in a way,” said Wolff.

“He’s been so successful in the junior formulas and in go-karting, probably the best track record of any of those drivers. He’s hard enough in the car, but he’s also a person that is bringing the team with him.

“So, it’s so interesting to manage a driver that again is very different to what Lewis was and what George is, Max.”

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Is Kimi Antonelli fighting to stay at Mercedes in 2025?

Mercedes clearly rate Antonelli highly and want to develop him into a star for the future. The Italian has a great support network around him, with teammate George Russell and Valtteri Bottas offering vital ‘tips’ to Antonelli behind the scenes with their experience.

Antonelli is only contracted for 2025 with the Brackley-based outfit, with Russell also out of contract at the end of the year. Wolff has stressed he is happy with his line-up and, naturally, it would seem as though the pair will be retained.

However, Max Verstappen could throw a spanner in the works as his future at Red Bull is uncertain. Mercedes and Aston Martin are said to be interested in the Dutchman, with the former having negotiated with him over a deal last season.

It the four-time champion becomes available, it would be hard to imagine to Wolff missing out for a second time. Mercedes could ‘farm out’ Antonelli to another team to sign Verstappen – the Italian will be under pressure to stay at the Silver Arrows if the 27-year-old chooses to leave Red Bull.