Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton stated that it will be an emotional moment for him to let go of his seat at the German team after Kimi Antonelli was announced as his replacement for the 2025 season. The British driver has achieved exceptional success with the Brackley-based outfit he joined at the beginning of the 2013 season.

Lewis Hamilton won six of his seven drivers’ championships with Mercedes and led the team to eight consecutive constructors’ championships during his 12-year stay with them. However, he will be joining Ferrari on a multi-year deal from 2025 onwards.

Speaking with PlanetF1, Lewis Hamilton commented on Kimi Antonelli replacing him at Mercedes and said:

“I’ve known for ages, so. I knew it would be announced this morning. I definitely woke up and it was very, very, very surreal to just have, at least officially confirmed, my seat is going that I held onto for so long. So it was quite emotional this morning, but I’m really, really happy for Kimi and for this team – I know Kimi is gonna do a great job.”

Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli. (Credit-Getty)

He also spoke about the increasing emotions as the races tick down to single digits in the 2024 season and added:

“I love my team so much. We have been through a hell of a lot together so it will be emotional every single race. Because every race we do is the last time at that particular place. Every race we get closer and closer to the last time I’ll be in that Mercedes. It’s going to be tough, but my focus is just to do my best job for the team and to finish on a high.”

Lewis Hamilton recalls his first encounter with Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton stated that he first met Kimi Antonelli during the 2018 Italian GP when the latter was a grid kid and he was fighting for the title against Sebastian Vettel.

During his pre-race press conference, the 39-year-old recalled his encounter with the Italian and said:

“I saw a picture earlier on of us, back in, I think, 2018, and he was one of the grid kids! And I’m like shaking his hand at the front of the grid! So it obviously reminds you how old you are when you have those experiences. But yeah, looking forward to seeing his growth and his journey through into Formula 1.”

Kimi Antonelli made his debut into the F1 world during the FP1 session of the 2024 Italian Grand Prix when he got the chance to drive George Russell’s W15 on Friday. However, his experience on the track was short-lived as he crashed within 10 minutes of the session while looking to set a fast lap.