Saturday morning, a few hours before the Formula 1 racing cars thunder around the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on the final training laps. The paddock becomes an exclusive promenade, and at this time of day it is usually those who associate this place with a day trip rather than work who are more excited. But now there is a magnet that is equally strong for everyone: the black-painted Mercedes motorhome. One journalist after another disappears through the sliding door or the side entrance. The cameras of the international TV media are set up on the mezzanine floor, and every chair on the upper floor is quickly filled. There are a lot of chairs.
The screens flicker, nobody should miss anything. A few minutes late, then he is seen, the driver whom Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has chosen to succeed the irreplaceable: the successor to Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion. the beginning of the year an earthquake in Formula 1 with his move to Ferrari next season. Can there be bigger shoes to fill?
:Anticipation in red
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the cockpits, Ferrari wants to really attack again in 2025 – Monza should provide a foretaste. The Scuderia has brought unexpectedly high levels of self-confidence to the home race.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, known as Kimi, sits down somewhat shyly on one of the bar stools and looks around, next to Wolff and his future teammate George Russell. The Italian, who is only 18 years old, is not used to so much fuss; things are much quieter in the junior classes. Even Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali has come to say a few introductory words about the transfer: That’s saying something. “I wish the new couple every success,” says Domenicali and chuckles: “Yes, they are a good couple, good energy, good motivation. Good news for Formula 1.” And Wolff noted with amusement that so much had only happened here when titles were won – and in 2016 in Barcelona, when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed and the dispute between the then team rivals escalated.
Wolff says he decided within five minutes to choose Antonelli as Hamilton’s successor
The racing team sent the message at exactly nine o’clock, although it had been anticipated that it would arrive. The timing was well thought out: at Antonelli’s home race. The fact that he was allowed to drive Russell’s Mercedes W15 in the first free practice session on Friday also indicated that his promotion from Formula 2 would be announced. “It’s such a great feeling. I can’t wait to get started,” said Antonelli, describing his approach as Hamilton’s successor as follows: “I don’t want to see myself as his replacement. I’m simply the next driver for Mercedes.”
His first big appearance, however, went differently than planned: Antonelli drove fast on the freshly asphalted high-speed track and wanted to prove himself. But then he went off course at the start of the Parabolica curve, slid through the gravel bed and crashed sideways into the tire wall. The young Italian was uninjured, but his rental car was badly dented. The mechanics had their work cut out to repair Russell’s car for the second session of the day. “Kimi, everything’s OK, everything’s fine,” Wolff radioed – after grimacing at the scene.
At the presentation, Wolff was visibly proud of the Silver Arrow drivers of the future. This means that from 2025, two talented drivers who have completed Mercedes’ junior program will be competing in Formula 1. “This is much more for us than just announcing drivers,” said the Austrian. Russell rose to the top as Formula 2 champion in 2019 and spent the first three years warming up at Williams. Antonelli was scouted by Mercedes in karting and has been a Stern junior since he was twelve. He won various junior series and skipped Formula 3. In Formula 2, he is currently seventh after two victories and is now being promoted rapidly. To ensure optimal preparation, Antonelli has already completed ten days of testing in a two-year-old Silver Arrow – something like that costs millions. But Wolff is happy to make this investment and seems extremely confident in his protégé.
Five minutes after Hamilton had revealed his future plans to him in February, he had decided on Antonelli, Wolff revealed. “We also discussed other options and had not completely given up on the Max idea, given what was going on at Red Bull,” said the 52-year-old: “But instinctively this was the line-up that I always wanted.” As a quick reminder: Red Bull’s world champion team began the year with an escalating power struggle; the unrest was so great that it could not be ruled out that Verstappen could end the successful relationship with Red Bull – despite a contract until 2028.
A lot will change at Mercedes – also for George Russell
For Mercedes, it would have been a major transfer to put the cockpit of a seven-time world champion into the hands of the three-time champion. And the fact that no information was given about the duration of Antonelli’s contract and Wolff spoke of complex options in the contracts suggests that there could be a back door. When asked whether Verstappen was still an issue, Wolff replied on Saturday: “I don’t flirt outside of it. Our focus is on George and Kimi, there is no discussion, no second thought about what will happen in 2026.” But he also said: “If there is flirting, these guys will find out at the same time.” Communication is always honest and direct.
A lot will change at Mercedes – including for Russell. In recent years, his benchmark was one of the most successful drivers in the history of his sport. Now Russell is the most experienced in the team, which increases his responsibility. At the press conference, his appearance seemed to be adapted to his greater leadership role. He praised Antonelli’s speed and played down his training accident. And when Wolff had the microphone in his hand for a question, ready to answer, Russell took over. And otherwise nodded as if he confirmed the statements of his boss and his future teammate.
In a way, he made his first statement by reaching into his wardrobe. While Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli wore a white shirt, George Russell opted for black – as Lewis Hamilton often does.