Mercedes has begun planning for the future as Lewis Hamilton prepares to leave the team later this year.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to drive a Mercedes F1 car for the first time at the Italian Grand Prix next month, as speculation intensifies about the young driver’s potential to replace Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli is expected to make his debut for the Silver Arrows during FP1 at Monza on September 1.
The choice of Monza’s historic Autodromo Nazionale for Antonelli’s first F1 outing is particularly significant, given its rich history and prestige.
However, the timing of this decision has raised questions about whether Mercedes is offering a glimpse into their possible lineup for the 2025 Formula One season.
Mandatory practice sessions for junior drivers have been a staple of the F1 calendar for some time, so it’s no surprise that Mercedes has chosen to give Antonelli a chance behind the wheel.
However, considering Mercedes—and Hamilton in particular—were in strong form before the summer break, the decision to schedule Antonelli’s practice session this early in the season has raised a few eyebrows.
Antonelli has long been seen as the likely successor to Hamilton when the seven-time world champion makes his anticipated move to Ferrari next year.
Mercedes’ eagerness to evaluate Antonelli’s performance in their F1 car in front of a live audience could suggest that the team is inching closer to selecting him for their 2025 lineup.
Reports suggest that Antonelli may be officially announced as Lewis Hamilton’s successor at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, potentially making him a Mercedes F1 driver by the time the FP1 session takes place.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been transparent about the team’s interest in Antonelli, recently telling Sky Sports: “I think first of all, Carlos [Sainz] deserves a top seat.
“But for us, we’ve decided to take a new direction, to reinvent ourselves a little bit moving forward. Kimi Antonelli definitely has a role in that plan.”
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