Mercedes F1 Team confirm the signing of Andrea Kimi Antonelli for 2025

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will step up to Formula 1 next year with the Mercedes F1 team.

The 18-year-old has been a member of Mercedes’ Driver Academy since 2019 and tested for the Silver Arrows earlier this year, the first time coming at theRed Bull Ring in April as part of the Testing of Previous Car Programme (TPC).

He now makes the step up to F1 after one season in Formula 2 with PREMA Racing where he is currently seventh in the Drivers’ Championship after winning two races at Silverstone and Budapest.

The Italian is now set to partner 2018 F2 champion George Russell, replacing the outgoing Lewis Hamilton.

This announcement comes after Antonelli’s first taste of F1 machinery on a race weekend as he stepped into the cockpit of Russell’s W15 for the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix.

Speaking following the news of his step up to the top tier, Antonelli could hardly hide his excitement at the opportunity.

“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George Russell for 2025,” said Antonelli.

“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity.

“I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team. I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for.

“He is super-fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track.”

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff added: "Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed.

“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership. Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent.

“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.

“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process.

“In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”