Lewis Hamilton has expressed that he ended up “quite emotional” when the Mercedes Formula 1 team announced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace him in 2025.
Mercedes published on Saturday the long-anticipated news that Antonelli will take the seat that Hamilton is vacating when he moves to Ferrari once this season ends.
Hamilton sent shockwaves through the F1 world before the season started when he opted to activate a break clause in his Mercedes deal to agree a switch to Ferrari.
The Briton’s period with Mercedes is both the longest-serving and the most successful the series has ever seen with six Drivers’ titles and 83 wins arriving since 2013.
However, that successful partnership has nine races remaining as Hamilton has signed a multi-term contract with Ferrari as he continues to hunt a record eighth title.
Despite having been told in advance that Antonelli would become his successor, Hamilton has recounted how the announcement release became a “surreal” moment.
“I mean, I’ve known for ages so… But definitely this morning, I knew it would be announced this morning, and I definitely woke up and it was very surreal,” he said.
“Just to have it officially confirmed my seat is going and that I’ve held on for it for so long.
“I was quite emotional this morning. But really happy for Kimi and for this team. I know Kimi is going to do a great job.”
Hamilton believes that Antonelli having a stable background and upbringing will be a help to him as he embarks upon his rookie F1 season with a race-winning team.
“He’s a great kid and he’s got a good family around him and a good head on his shoulders,” he added. “Very talented. He’s going to do great, I’m very excited for him.”
Hamilton has proclaimed that the emotion regarding his impending Mercedes exit edging closer with each passing race has been prevalent throughout the campaign.
Asked whether the emotion was starting to creep in since the season resumed last weekend in Zandvoort, Hamilton replied: “It’s been there all year.
“Every single race we have turned up and I love my team so much and 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 race and every race we get closer and closer to the last time
I’ll be in a Mercedes and that is tough, it’s definitely going to be tough.”
The seven-time F1 champion has revealed his main aspiration between now and the season’s end is to rediscover his one-lap prowess that has been absent this term.
“My focus now is to try and do the best job I can for the team and finish on a high,” he continued.
“I’ve got to find myself for qualifying somehow. My race pace is great, I’ve just got to figure out how to get back to my old self.”
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