Lewis Hamilton has said he would choose to promote protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace him at the Mercedes Formula 1 team in 2025 in Toto Wolff’s position.
Hamilton’s decision to activate a break clause in his Mercedes contract to pursue a move to Ferrari from next season has opened up a drive with the German marque.
Mercedes Team Principal Wolff has made public his desire to sign Max Verstappen, but the Dutchman has outlined his desire to remain with his current Red Bull side.
With Fernando Alonso also not on the market due to his extension with Aston Martin, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Antonelli have been touted as the leading candidates.
Antonelli, 17, is competing in his maiden season in Formula 2 at present and has been dovetailing that with a rigorous testing programme in previous Mercedes cars.
Asked whether Sainz was the perfect choice for Mercedes, Hamilton said: “Carlos is a great driver so I think wherever he goes I think he would be a positive for any team.
“Honestly I have no idea what Toto’s plans are but for me, taking on a youngster… If it was my job, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi.”
Antonelli being thrust into the limelight with a team which has aspirations of competing for a championship would mirror the situation Hamilton was in during 2007.
The Briton made his F1 debut with McLaren alongside reigning double champion Alonso, but he defied expectations to come within a sole point of claiming the title.
Hamilton would clinch the F1 championship at the second attempt next time around, with his move to Mercedes in 2013 seeing him add six more to equal the record.
But the Briton has not won a single race since December 2021 amid Mercedes’ struggles with the current ground effect cars, triggering his impending Ferrari transfer.
Hamilton’s choice to leave to pastures new with the Italian marque has left Sainz without a drive, but the Spaniard is reported to be weighing up a proposal from Audi.
Audi will venture into the series for the first time once all-new technical regulations are introduced in 2026, with the marque taking over the current Sauber-ran squad.
Pressed on whether a decision concerning his future remained a considerable distance from being confirmed, Sainz said: “I think so, yeah. It’s not moving too quick.”
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