17-year-old F2 rookie reportedly Mercedes’ first choice to replace Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes might be willing to give Formula 2 rookie Kimi Antonelli a chance to replace Lewis Hamilton next year.

17-year-old F2 rookie reportedly Mercedes’ first choice to replace Lewis Hamilton

Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton (via X)

The Formula 1 silly season is well underway with massive news surfacing every week. Hence, Lewis Hamilton‘s bombshell move to Ferrari has been finalized. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is currently looking at his options to choose a driver to fill in the shoes of the seven-time world champion at Mercedes as the majority of the drivers’ market will be opened up by 2025.

Amidst this, the 17-year-old rookie in Formula 2, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is reportedly on Brackley’s radar to be acquired in the subsequent season. Most of the Mercedes’ crew believes the 17-year-old prodigy to be the next ‘Max Verstappen’ who joined the sport at a very young age and started dominating soon after arriving. Hence, time will tell about Antonelli’s future within the team.

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Antonelli’s performance in the 2024 season of F2 would determine his seat in Mercedes, if he deserves it or not. Additionally, Wolff wouldn’t like to take chances while acquiring the young prodigy like he did during Max Verstappen almost a decade ago. Antonelli planned to race for Mercedes-linked Williams for two years before moving to Brackley, much like George Russell during his rookie days. However, Hamilton’s unexpected move might shift the plans for the 17-year-old’s path in F1.

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Fernando Alonso is the secondary option to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Apart from Antonelli, the F1 veteran Fernando Alonso is one of the potential candidates to replace Lewis Hamilton. The Briton would join Ferrari in the subsequent season alongside Charles Leclerc and suit up in Red. Hence, Wolff doesn’t want to rush into deciding the driver who will succeed Hamilton in the subsequent season.

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton (image via IMAGO)
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton (image via IMAGO)

Depending on Brackley’s performance during the 2023 season, Alonso would finalize his situation within the sport. However, the veteran refuses to reveal major details about his future within Aston Martin beyond 2024. Hamilton will conclude his final year at Mercedes in 2024 and has highlighted his plans to end the season on a ‘high’.

Mercedes had previously showcased optimism over the development of the W15 challenger. Hence, as Brackley prepares for the chassis reveal on February 14, the team builds up excitement for the same. However, multiple drivers eye the empty seat at one of the best teams in the pinnacle of motorsport from 2025 onwards.

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