Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to join Mercedes in Formula One starting in 2025, the team announced on Saturday. He will race alongside George Russell, filling the spot that will be vacated by Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari next season.

The young Italian, who has showcased his talent by winning both a sprint and a feature race in Formula Two this year, will team up with George Russell at Mercedes. Meanwhile, Hamilton is set to make a high-profile move to Ferrari.

Russell expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with Antonelli, acknowledging the young driver's impressive track record in the junior formula. "I'm thrilled to be working alongside Kimi in 2025. His achievements in the junior categories have been outstanding, and his promotion to F1 is well-earned," Russell shared. Reflecting on his own experience, he added, "Lewis has been an incredible mentor to me throughout my journey as a junior driver and as his teammate. I've gained invaluable knowledge from him, and I hope to offer similar support to Kimi."

Mercedes F1 team leader, Toto Wolff, also voiced his confidence in the new driver lineup, highlighting that Russell and Antonelli represent the perfect combination to usher in a new era for the team. "Kimi has consistently demonstrated the talent and speed necessary to compete at the highest level in our sport," Wolff commented. "While stepping up to F1 is always a challenge, Kimi has already impressed us during his testing this year. With George as his experienced teammate, Kimi has the opportunity to further refine his skills."

Currently, Russell holds the eighth position in the championship standings as they head into the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Hamilton is in sixth place.

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