The 2025 Formula 1 season will not only mark the end of the current technical cycle but will also see the full-time Formula 1 debut of Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old was announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement during the Monza weekend, a circuit where he made his debut driving the W15 during FP1. Although an incident near the Parabolica prematurely ended his official debut, the Bologna native still managed to provide a glimpse of his talent, setting lap times on par with more experienced top drivers.
Another driver preparing to welcome Kimi Antonelli into the Mercedes garage is his future teammate George Russell, who, like the Italian, also came up through the Mercedes development program: “I’ve always thought that experience is gained over time, both in terms of managing the weekend and getting to know the team. Kimi is extremely fast, and he has demonstrated that in every category he’s raced in.”
The arrival of Kimi Antonelli will also be a challenge for the Briton, who for the first time in his career will be called to take on the role of “team leader,” taking the baton from Lewis Hamilton: “There will definitely be mistakes along the way, just as happened to all of us. Everyone on the grid has made them during their first seasons,” explains George Russell. “But it obviously has more impact when you’re driving a car that competes for top positions. I have no doubt that Kimi will give me a hard time, so I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
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