Recently, the spotlight has turned to young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli who has been linked with a potential move to Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
As the 2025 season approaches, Antonelli has candidly addressed these rumours, expressing both excitement and apprehension about the possibility of stepping into one of the most coveted seats in F1.
Kimi Antonelli, at just 17 years old, has rapidly ascended through the ranks of motorsport. The soon to be confirmed Hamilton’s replacement made a big leap to Formula 2 with Prema Racing following a successful campaign in Formula Regional European Championship, where he showcased his talent and speed.
The Italian’s transition has not been without challenges as Prema Racing continues to face major struggles with the new era of F2 cars despite high expectations the soon to be 18-year old would face off for the title against his Ferrari-backed teammate Oliver Bearmann.
However, he has managed to secure two race victories so far this season, demonstrating his potential in the highly competitive series. Despite a rocky start, Antonelli’s recent performances, including a standout win at the Hungaroring, have solidified his status as a driver to watch.
On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Mercedes approaches its conclusion which begs the question of who will fill his shoes. While the seven-time world champion is set to switch to Ferrari next year, speculation has intensified around Antonelli as a potential successor.
Reports suggest that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has identified Antonelli as a primary candidate to partner George Russell for 2025 F1. This comes after the team boss said he has instilled great faith in the young driver for a long time, and even went on to call him a “calculated risk” for the team.
The pressure of potentially replacing a seven-time world champion is immense, and Antonelli is acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead. In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, he shared his thoughts on the swirling rumours, acknowledging the pressure that comes with such speculation.
“Some degree of worry I think is always there,” he admitted. “The prospect of not being able to perform frightens everyone. My approach is to see it as a great opportunity to learn, grow, and also enjoy the moment.”
While Antonelli is excited about the possibility to join F1, he remains focused on making the most of his current situation in Formula 2.
“I’m not afraid of being judged,” he added. “I know Mercedes has a clear opinion about my potential, already this season in F2 the championship didn’t kick off in the best way but there were no negative thoughts.
“I am quite calm, if the opportunity presented itself to me I would take it with eagerness and try to make the most of it.
“Recently there has been some pressure on me with all the rumours about next year, but I have always tried to enjoy it. I’m enjoying the opportunities I have.”
While F2 offers a fantastic platform to sharpen racing skills and learn how to handle competitive pressure, Mercedes is largely evaluating Antonelli’s development through private testing using two-year-old equipment, which he describes as an incredible experience.
He recounted: “During pre-season testing in Bahrain I was told the dates and at that point I said to myself, ‘Well, you’re really going to drive an F1 car!’ It was a very, very special moment, because there was a day and a track, in black on white.”
In April, he drove the Mercedes W12 – that claimed the 2021 constructors’ title – for his first two-day test at the Red Bull Ring. He later switched to the 2022-spec W13 – which is a ground effect car that is much more similar to the current generation but much more tricky to drive – for further testing at Imola and Silverstone.
“It was a really great experience,” Antonelli said. “I carried that excitement with me through the first lap too, even if the conditions were not the best, it was raining and in the afternoon it even snowed!
“Then on the second day the track improved and in the dry the performance emerged; power, deceleration, aerodynamic load. It was crazy.
“When I arrived at the track I just opened the door of the garage and was shocked to see how many people were there, both engineers and mechanics, all to run a single car.
“You have to be able to answer and provide a lot of information when they ask you questions. It took me a while to get used to it, but now everything already seems normal to me.”
Antonelli’s confidence is bolstered by his relationship with Wolff, who has been a guiding force in his career. The young driver recounted a pivotal conversation with the Mercedes boss during a challenging moment in his F2 season, which helped restore his confidence.
“I am also very happy with the relationship I have [with Wolff],” he added. “In difficult moments I ask him for advice and he always looks for a way to give me confidence.
“I’ll give you an example. After the disappointing qualifying in Silverstone I called him because it was a bit of a tough time.
“We talked a lot and that conversation gave me back my confidence, and the next day I won and it was really nice to see him under the podium.
“When you go through difficult times, I think you come out stronger in the end, also in terms of attitude. Silverstone and Budapest confirmed it.”
