Kimi Antonelli discusses promotion to Mercedes Formula 1 team
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 10:00 AM
Last updated Jul 30, 2026
Kimi Antonelli revealed that he was informed by Toto Wolff about his promotion to the Mercedes Formula 1 team in February 2024, prior to Lewis Hamilton’s announced move to Ferrari. The young Italian driver, who has established himself as a championship leader, will fill the seat left by Hamilton after the 2024 season. Antonelli shared that he was taken aback by the announcement as he had not yet made his Formula 2 debut, but felt compelled to be ready for the opportunity. His promotion was officially confirmed at the start of the summer break.
- •Antonelli informed of Mercedes promotion before Hamilton to Ferrari.
- •Promotion confirmed during 2024 summer break.
- •Antonelli had not yet debuted in Formula 2 at the time.
- •Experienced support from Mercedes included F1 testing.
- •Antonelli is currently leading the championship.
- 3:29 PMMotorsport.com — Kimi Antonelli: ‘Mercedes picked me for 2025 F1 season before I’d even raced in F2’
- 10:00 AMYahoo Sports — Antonelli shares untold story of Mercedes Formula 1 promotion
"Kimi Antonelli has given new insight into how Mercedes handled Lewis Hamilton’s departure ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign. On 1 February 2024, it was announced that Hamilton was going to leave his longtime Mercedes squad to join Ferrari from the 2025 season onwards. The move was a direct consequence of Mercedes not giving the seven-time world champion a firm contract for 2025 – the ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli has revealed Toto Wolff informed him he would be driving for Mercedes even before Lewis Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari was announced in February 2024. The young Italian, who has firmly established himself as the championship leader, was entrusted with both a tremendous honour and a daunting responsibility when Mercedes selected him as Hamilton's successor.
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJul 30, 2026, 3:29 PMKimi Antonelli: ‘Mercedes picked me for 2025 F1 season before I’d even raced in F2’
Kimi Antonelli has given new insight into how Mercedes handled Lewis Hamilton’s departure ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign. On 1 February 2024, it was announced that Hamilton was going to leave his longtime Mercedes squad to join Ferrari from the 2025 season onwards. The move was a direct consequence of Mercedes not giving the seven-time world champion a firm contract for 2025 – the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 10:00 AMAntonelli shares untold story of Mercedes Formula 1 promotion
Kimi Antonelli has revealed Toto Wolff informed him he would be driving for Mercedes even before Lewis Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari was announced in February 2024. The young Italian, who has firmly established himself as the championship leader, was entrusted with both a tremendous honour and a daunting responsibility when Mercedes selected him as Hamilton's successor.
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