Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff

Formula 1 News: Mercedes board votes ‘yes’ for Antonelli in 2025

(GMM) Kimi Antonelli will definitely replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from next year, according to Italy’s Il Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

Over the Monaco GP weekend, rumors circulated that soon-to-be Ferrari refugee Carlos Sainz has been told that he will not be George Russell’s teammate next year.

Earlier in May, Mercedes organized a private test at Silverstone where 17-year-old Antonelli, whose real first name is actually Andrea, was pitted in a head-to-head with Mick Schumacher and Russell.

“The three drivers drove a 2022 Mercedes and took turns following an identical program,” Corriere dello Sport explains.

“Antonelli was as fast as Russell with a qualifying setup, and slightly better than him on race pace.”

Based on those results, the necessary 15 members of the Mercedes board reportedly voted ‘yes’ to Antonelli making his F1 debut with the Brackley based team next year.

Prior to the head-to-head test, only 3 board members approved of the proposal, Corriere dello Sport added.

Russell, 26, says he would be happy to be paired with Antonelli in 2025 – or any other driver.

“I think Kimi is a fantastic driver,” said the Briton. “He’s no doubt going to be a Formula 1 driver in the future and he’s a fellow (Mercedes) junior driver as well, coming through the ranks, as I did.

“So I think it makes for a great opportunity for Mercedes building into the future,” Russell added. “But I’d welcome anybody as my teammate. I feel like I’ve got a pretty good teammate right now as it is,” he smiled.

Last Updated May 29, 2024

2025 AutoRacing1.com F1 Silly Season Page
Team Engine No. Driver Nat. Rating Comments
Audi Sauber Ferrari 27 Nico Hulkenberg Germany Fact Signed
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Speculation Waiting in the wings
Alpine F1 Team Renault 10 Pierre Gasly France Strong Expected back
61 Jack Doohan Australia Speculation Waiting in the wings
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team Mercedes 14 Fernando Alonso Spain Fact Signed thru 2026
18 Lance Stroll Canada Fact Daddy owns the team
Ferrari Ferrari 16 Charles Leclerc Monaco Fact Signed thru 2028
44 Lewis Hamilton England Fact Signed thru 2026
Moneygram Haas F1 Team Ferrari 31 Esteban Ocon France Speculation Could replace Kevin Magnussen
38 Oliver Bearman England Strong Expected to replace Hulkenberg
McLaren F1 Team Mercedes 4 Lando Norris England Fact Signed
81 Oscar Piastri Australia Fact Signed
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes 12 Kimi Antonelli Italy Strong Expected to replace Hamilton
63 George Russell England Fact Signed thru 2025
Red Bull Racing Honda 1 Max Verstappen Netherlands Fact Signed thru 2028
11 Sergio Perez Mexico Speculation Could be re-signed for 1 year
22 Yuki Tsunoda Japan Speculation Could replace Perez for 1 year
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Speculation Could replace Perez
Visa Cash App RB Honda 22 Yuki Tsunoda Japan Strong Expected back
40 Liam Lawson Australia Strong Expected to replace struggling Ricciardo
Williams Racing Mercedes 23 Alex Albon Thailand Fact Signed
55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Spain Strong Expected to replace Sargeant
77 Valtteri Bottas Finland Speculation Could replace Sargeant