Written by Jasmin Low
Antonelli is currently racing in Formula 2, alongside Oliver Bearman | Image Credit: Formula 2
Andrea Kimi Antonelli -one of the motorsports world’s most highly rated young drivers- is heavily rumoured to be replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, as the 7-time World Champion departs the British team and heads to Ferrari. Antonelli, born not so far from Hamilton’s new outfit in Maranello, boasts an impressive resume in both karting and single-seater motorsports, crowned by an induction into the Mercedes Junior Driver Program in 2018.
Alongside F1-bound Oliver Bearman, Antonelli currently competes in Formula 2 with Prema Racing having skipped Formula 3. The rare decision for him to skip the feeder series category emphasises Mercedes’ confidence in his abilities, and their mission to give him the best possible preparation for Formula 1. As a Prema driver, Antonelli represents the feeder series’ most successful team, which has previously masterminded the likes of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri to the Formula 2 crown.
Piastri, who was a highly regarded junior and now races in F1 for McLaren, won his first Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, having previously been first across the line in the 2023 Qatar sprint race. A similar storyline unfolded for Antonelli over the Hungarian round of the championship, having won the previous sprint race in Silverstone before taking his first feature race victory in Hungary, lifting the winner’s trophy on back-to-back weekends. Antonelli’s improved form throughout the second half of the 2024 season will only strengthen Mercedes’ confidence in him, as the famed Formula 1 ‘silly season’ intensifies the volatility of the driver market over the summer break.
Coinciding with the mounting pressure being placed on the young driver’s shoulders, Mercedes have ramped up their support for the Italian racing prodigy both on and off the track.
Antonelli reflected on Mercedes’ impact on his junior career and his gratefulness for their support:
‘Mercedes has been a big part of my career, I’ve been with them since 2018, so a very long time. I’m really glad they came in, especially in the past 2 years, they’ve given me really big support. They were giving me support on the race track before but now they are really giving me support outside the track as well, ever since I moved to Formula [racing]. So, definitely really happy for their help. They really support you, they always want the best for you, especially in hard moments.’
Antonelli has tested for Mercedes, gaining valuable experience in F1 machinery | Image Credit: Formula One
As speculation builds around the four remaining seats on the 2025 F1 grid, Mercedes’ decision regarding Antonelli is fast approaching. The catalyst for such a decision -Carlos Sainz- has announced that he will be driving for Williams in 2025, and so the likelihood of Antonelli signing for the Brackley-based team is only increased.
It is no doubt that Antonelli is a highly anticipated driver, destined for a career at the pinnacle of motorsport. However, the focus for the remainder of 2024 will be the Formula 2 championship. The 17 year-old sits seventh in the standings, with only four rounds left of the season.
With the stakes at an all-time high, Antonelli shared his feelings about the motivation that Mercedes has given him:
‘Especially this season they’ve given me a lot of support because I know they’re really trusting me and they are just trying to make me keep pushing, make me try to improve, and also relieve some pressure. So definitely their help has been a big part and I’m really glad for that.’
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