F1 News: Mercedes Urged To Replace Lewis Hamilton With Rookie Driver In 2025
Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has publicly voiced his support for Mercedes to recruit their junior driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as Lewis Hamilton's successor for the 2025 season. This comes in the wake of Hamilton's shocking revelation about his move to Ferrari, sparking widespread speculation about future driver line-ups.
Key Takeaways:
- Giancarlo Fisichella advocates for Andrea Kimi Antonelli to join George Russell at Mercedes in 2025.
- Lewis Hamilton's impending departure to Ferrari in 2025 has triggered a flurry of driver market rumours.
- Antonelli, a promising talent in the Mercedes junior programme, is set to ascend to Formula 2 this year.
Mercedes Press Image
As the Formula One community reels from Lewis Hamilton's unexpected announcement of joining Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025, the focus shifts to who might fill the void he leaves at Mercedes. Amidst this backdrop, former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has thrown his weight behind Mercedes junior driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to step up to the plate.
"I think Mercedes should push for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. He's a young driver who will race in F2 this year. He's so quick and he's already very good. I'd like to see him there."
Hamilton's departure not only marks the end of an era but also ignites the driver market, with Carlos Sainz now looking for a seat and Mercedes in need of a new talent. Antonelli, who has been part of the Mercedes junior driver programme since 2019, seems to be the prime candidate for this role. The 17-year-old prodigy is making a significant leap from the Formula Regional European Championship to Formula 2 this year, showcasing his rapid progression through the racing ranks.
Antonelli's potential inclusion in the Mercedes line-up alongside George Russell could signal a new dawn for the team, focusing on nurturing young talent to sustain its competitive edge in the championship.
As the F1 world continues to speculate on the 2025 driver grid, Mercedes finds itself at a crossroads. Choosing Antonelli could not only fill the gap left by Hamilton but also affirm the team's commitment to developing and promoting from within its ranks.
Thank you to OLBG for setting up this interview.