Who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes for 2025 F1 season. Lewis Hamilton has said he has no desire to rekindle his friendship with former Formula One rival Nico Rosberg. The two were friends as they began their shared time at Mercedes, but as they fought for three successive championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the relationship soured.Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian prodigy, has recently entered the world of Formula 1 as the new driver for the Mercedes team. He replaces Lewis Hamilton, who left Mercedes to join Ferrari.After 12 years, 246 races, 84 victories (85 if he can pull off one last miracle) and six drivers’ championships, Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025. For all the success Hamilton and Mercedes have achieved together, the partnership is ending on a slightly awkward note.Hamilton has fond memories of competing against Raikkonen, even if he denied the British driver the chance to be a rookie world champion in 2007. Kimi was one of the better drivers to go up against, Hamilton said. He was tough but very, very fair. You just knew he was one of the most skillful drivers here.
Who will replace Hamilton in Mercedes?
Mercedes have signed rookie Kimi Antonelli as George Russell’s team mate for 2025, with the Italian stepping up from F2 to replace Lewis Hamilton. The Silver Arrows have been mulling the identity of who would race for them next season after Hamilton told them he was leaving at the end of the season to join Ferrari. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has named George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the team’s priority for the 2026 Formula One season. The revelation comes after Max Verstappen was strongly linked to Mercedes.
Is Bottas going back to Mercedes?
Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Bottas. I want to thank Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss], the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms. Wolff wants ‘to stay with Kimi and George as it stands’ for 2026 Mercedes line-up amid Verstappen rumours. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has given the clearest indication yet that he wants to retain the driver line-up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in 2026.
Will Kimi Antonelli join Mercedes?
Mercedes (2025) Antonelli signed for Mercedes in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton to partner George Russell on a one-year contract. Hamilton reportedly left Mercedes for Ferrari because the latter offered him a longer contract and more money. Furthermore, he had been in a losing slump—with no wins in 2022 or 2023—and hoped to revive his career on the new team.Hamilton built up a good friendship with Bottas at Mercedes, as the pair contributed to five constructors championship titles.
Why is Louis Hamilton leaving Mercedes?
Hamilton reportedly left Mercedes for Ferrari because the latter offered him a longer contract and more money. Furthermore, he had been in a losing slump—with no wins in 2022 or 2023—and hoped to revive his career on the new team. Mercedes have ruled out Carlos Sainz for a 2025 Formula One drive because they are focusing on young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s likely replacement.A member of the Mercedes Junior Team since 2019, Antonelli signed for Mercedes in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton to partner George Russell and becoming the third-youngest driver in Formula One history at the Australian Grand Prix, aged 18; he achieved his maiden podium finish in his rookie season at the Canadian Grand .He took further wins for Ferrari at Singapore in 2023, as well as Australia and Mexico City in 2024. Replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz joined Williams to partner Alexander Albon.
Who’s driving for Mercedes 2026?
It’s likely Mercedes has a long-term deal with Antonelli, with options to retain him for 2026 but Russell is a ‘free agent’ – though is all but certain to sign a new deal now that Verstappen has committed to staying at Red Bull for next year. Ola Kallenius, the Mercedes chief executive, has reportedly approved the team’s move for Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for the F1 2026 season. Despite being officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes over recent weeks.Formula 1 star Max Verstappen has announced that he will become a father with girlfriend Kelly Piquet expecting their first child together. Red Bull driver Verstappen, 27, announced the news in a joint-social media post.