Mercedes set to announce 17-year-old prodigy as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement during the Italian GP weekend - Reports

With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, Mercedes-AMG is set to reveal his replacement soon. According to reports, the German outfit is likely to announce Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton's replacement during the upcoming Italian Grand Prix weekend.

Hamilton announced his departure from Mercedes-AMG before the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season to join the iconic Italian team. This sudden news created a stir in the driver's market, resulting in several racers jumping stations. However, Mercedes-AMG had a massive task on their hands finding a suitable replacement for the seven-time F1 world champion.

While daunting as it may seem, the Brackley-based team seemingly had a driver lined up in the reigning Formula Regional European champion Antonelli. The Mercedes-backed driver is currently driving for Prema Racing in Formula 2. Along with F2, the young Italian racer has also begun testing older Mercedes-AMG's older race cars to get accustomed to the world of Formula 1.

According to a recent report from Paddock News, the German team is going to announce Antonelli as Hamilton's replacement during the Italian GP weekend at Monza (August 30 to September 1). This news was also shared by a fan account on X (formerly Twitter):

"Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be announced as a Mercedes driver during the Italian GP weekend."

While the news is not yet official, fans online believe the 'Silver Arrows' will confirm it soon.

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"I would probably take on Kimi" - Lewis Hamilton praised the young Formula 2 driver during the race weekend at Imola

Apart from the top Mercedes-AMG management personnel such as Toto Wolff, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has received appreciation from Lewis Hamilton as well. The legendary British racer spoke highly of the Formula 2 Italian driver during an interview at Imola in May 2024.

Hamilton claimed that he would be the first to sign the 17-year-old driver as his replacement in the team.

"Honestly, I have no idea what Toto's plans are, but for me, taking on a youngster. If it was my job, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi (Antonelli)," Hamilton commented while speaking to ESPN.

Along with Hamilton, the former Mercedes-AMG engineer James Allison also praised Antonelli. He was quoted as saying:

"He's fast, consistent." "Looks like the real deal."

Antonelli is currently driving for Prema Racing in his debut season in Formula 2. With the Italian and German Formula 4 championships along with European and Middle-Eastern Formula Regional championships to his name, Antonelli seems to be a rational pick for the eight-time F1 constructors champion.