Andrea Kimi Antonelli has expressed that he “doesn’t want to be seen” as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement in Formula 1 when he takes his drive at Mercedes from 2025.
Mercedes has announced the long-expected news that Antonelli has been chosen as the one to succeed Hamilton, who will complete a switch to Ferrari next season.
The Italian, who has been combining his maiden Formula 2 campaign with an extensive F1 testing schedule, will make his bow in the series alongside George Russell.
“Yeah, it was a great feeling. A dream coming true,” Antonelli told media including Motorsport Week at Monza. “Something I have been dreaming about since a very young age.
“To finally be announced as a driver for 2025 is such a great feeling and now I can’t wait to get started.”
Antonelli’s impending ascension to a race-winning side as a rookie has drawn several comparisons to how Hamilton burst onto the scene with McLaren back in 2007.
But while he will seize the seat that Hamilton has won six Drivers’ titles with since 2013, Antonelli doesn’t want to be seen as the seven-time champion’s replacement.
“I think it’s not possible to replace Lewis Hamilton,” he admitted.
“He’s such a great figure in the sport of today and he has achieved so much in his career, so I don’t want to be seen as his replacement, I am just the next driver for Mercedes in 2025.
“I’m really excited for that. But he is a really great driver and he has been really giving some support, so I am really happy.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has concurred with his protege’s sentiment, but he believes that Antonelli and Russell as a combination can deliver the marque more titles.
“Lewis started 12 years ago and it was the longest-ever team/driver relationship,” Wolff began.
“We won eight constructors’ titles and six drivers’ titles together and he is the biggest personality in the sport, with the biggest gravitas and international recognition.
“But he is also the one who has beaten all the records. When Lewis decided to go for another challenge, no one can replace him in all of his, let’s say, stature.
“But that doesn’t mean that the team is not going to prosper with two drivers that represent the future.
I’m sure that if we are capable of giving George and Kimi a car that can win races and championships we can hopefully continue the legacy of championship titles that Lewis left here, with these two, as Mercedes.”
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