Latest F1 News

F1 star reveals test that saw him REPLACE Hamilton

Alex Cole Wednesday 16 October 2024 13:57

F1 star reveals test that saw him REPLACE Hamilton

Kimi Antonelli has revealed the moment that Mercedes decided to select him to be Lewis Hamilton's successor.

The 18-year-old is set to replace the seven-time Formula 1 champion for the 2025 season, as Hamilton will switch to Ferrari.

F1 HEADLINES: Geri Horner makes solo announcement as Red Bull chief in bizarre RANT

Antonelli has impressed in this term's Formula 2 competition for Prema Racing, as well as the Mercedes Junior Team.

The prospect was selected to drive George Russell's car during a practice session for the Italian Grand Prix earlier this season, but his inexperience showed as he crashed and spun out.

Kimi Antonelli has announced when he was called up to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

The seven-time champion is moving to Ferrari in 2025

Kimi Antonelli ready for F1 debut

Despite that Monza mishap, his future team-mate Russell has heaped praise on the youngster explaining how he will welcome him into the fold.

The Brackley-based team are looking forward to seeing how quickly he can make the step up.

Now, Antonelli has disclosed why Mercedes decided to promote him to F1 in an interview with Sky Sports Italy.

The young driver revealed: "In private testing, the [car showed] great speed with which I got to the limit.

"I struggled at first with the race pace but, after a test in Spa, they saw a clear step forward and were convinced.

"And, two days later, came the call that they were taking me for 2025."

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Ferrari McLaren Kimi Antonelli

Latest News

Latest F1 News

FIA introduce MANDATORY rule change at Las Vegas Grand Prix

23 minutes ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Practice Today: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule, TV channel and live stream

1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

How the Las Vegas Grand Prix was ROCKED by drain covers

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Hamilton FRUSTRATION revealed as seven-time champion makes LAST RACE announcement

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today as conditions set to cause havoc

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

The Sphere: All you need to know about the dome dominating F1’s Las Vegas GP

3 hours ago

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY