Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has offered a prediction about who will take over for him in 2019 after Mercedes made the formal announcement.
For much of the time since that announcement was made, there have been rumors that Mercedes junior and F2 driver Antonelli will be responsible for taking over for Hamilton at the team.
Now, though, it is official, with Mercedes confirming Antonelli’s driver for 2025 on Saturday.
Hamilton has had no involvement in the search for his replacement, though has regularly vocalized his support for the idea that Mercedes should recruit Antonelli.
Hamilton’s rookie year in F1 saw him thrust into a team competing for wins, and he picked up four in his debut season with McLaren.
Should Mercedes continue their upturn in form – the W15 has three wins to its name in the previous five races – Antonelli could find himself in a similar position.
However, whereas Hamilton replaced Pedro de la Rosa and partnered reigning double-world champion Fernando Alonso, Antonelli will line-up alongside an easier – though still a stern – test in George Russell.
On his Instagram story, Hamilton offered his well wishes to the young Italian and predicted him to be a worthy addition at Mercedes from 2025.
“Congrats @kimi.antonelli. I have no doubt that you’ll bring a lot to the team alongside George next year,” he wrote.
Antonelli made his F1 debut with Mercedes in FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix, though his session came to an untimely end after just 10 minutes when he hit the barrier.
That did not affect his standing with team principal Toto Wolff, who confirmed the 2025 line-up one day later.
