F1. The Italian, tipped for the second Mercedes seat in 2025, will take part in his very first free practice session this weekend at Monza. A well-deserved opportunity, according to Lewis Hamilton, who has high hopes for the young Prema talent.

It’s a nice birthday present offered by Mercedes. While the young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli has just celebrated his 18th birthday, Mercedes announced that he will take the wheel of George Russell’s single-seater during the first free practice session this weekend in Monza, during his home Grand Prix. A logical choice for the talent coming from the Mercedes academy, due to his performances on the track.

A talent already observed in karting.

Although still very young, the name of Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already become known in the world of motorsport for several years. In karting, the Italian has amassed trophies: South Garda Winter Cup, WSK Champions Cup, WSK Super Master Series, WSK Euro Series. In 2019, he was the vice-champion of Europe in the OK-Junior category. It was also that year that he joined the Mercedes program. In 2020 and 2021, he became a double European champion in the OK category. An innate talent that was confirmed by being crowned champion in the Italian Formula 4 and ADAC Formula 4 championships in 2022, and then in FRECA in 2023.

© Mercedes / Hamilton on track with Mercedes during free practice at Zandvoort.

These results came at the right time for Antonelli, especially after Hamilton decided at the beginning of the year to leave Mercedes to join Ferrari. Among his potential successors, the seven-time British world champion gave priority to the Italian, recognizing his speed despite his young age.

Antonelli supported by Lewis Hamilton

« Well, I said a long time ago that I thought he was the one the team should choose for the future,” Hamilton told the media at Monza. « Time will tell what they decide, but I think he is one of those young, super talented ones who have made it this far. I mean, he’s a young adult now, but he’s only 18. I think it’s important for people to remember that he has just turned 18, and he has a bright future ahead of him. I’m really excited to follow his progress. »

The British, who has already worked with Antonelli when he was a grid kid, seems very enthusiastic about seeing him progress and has full confidence in the abilities of the Formula 2 driver to perform well, despite the pressure he will face when discovering Formula 2 at Mercedes, in a very competitive car with immediate result obligations.

Asked about the reasons why he thinks Antonelli would be a good choice for the team, Lewis Hamilton recalled the performances achieved by the Italian since his karting debut, emphasizing exceptional speed at the wheel and a maturity already present. Antonelli, who positions himself as the leader of Prema this season, has scored 87 points since the beginning of the year, compared to 34 for his teammate Ollie Bearman, future Haas driver and having an additional season in Formula 2. Hamilton hopes that Mercedes will choose him, a choice that McLaren made in 2007 when they hired a certain Lewis Hamilton, then the reigning Formula 2 champion.

« We observed it through the different formulas. I naturally think he is a Mercedes [junior] driver. I simply think that we are seeing much younger drivers coming, and I believe it is time for this new wave to take over, rather than giving a new opportunity to a driver with many years of experience. That’s what McLaren did for me, and it worked well. So, in my opinion, this is an opportunity for him to grow. »

The Mercedes driver took the opportunity to list all the advantages that Antonelli would benefit from by being on the grid with Mercedes, a team that trusts him and has many resources for him to improve.

« He could work with the best in their field, learn from people I have worked with for many years. It’s a great responsibility on someone’s shoulders, but as I said, it’s a great environment in which they could simply support and guide him through it. »

Before that, the young Italian will drive George Russell’s Mercedes during the first free practice session, before taking over full time in 2025. Mercedes is expected to announce his arrival as the second driver this weekend at Monza.