18-year-old Formula 1 rookie driver Kimi Antonelli has now responded to people calling him to carry the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s legacy. The British driver had a successful partnership with Mercedes F1 for 13 years. Last year he announced that he would exit the team by the end of the 2024 season. Mercedes immediately signed 18-year-old youngster Kimi Antonelli as a replacement driver which nobody expected.
Mercedes is one of the top teams in Formula 1 and many thought they would sign an experienced driver like Carlos Sainz to replace Hamilton. But they signed because Kimi Antonelli is a promising talent and a future world champion. The Italian has now got the opportunity in place of many senior drivers. Toto Wolff missed signing Max verstappen in the 2016 season, so he doesn't want to miss Antonelli.
Kimi Antonelli wants to write his own story
But the youngster is not happy when people call him as the man to carry Hamilton’s legacy. He said “I don’t find it right to say I’m his replacement. He has done so much in the sport, and I just feel like the next Mercedes driver, and I want to make my own story.
Definitely, racing for Mercedes is a big responsibility because it’s obviously a top team, but at the same time it’s a great opportunity, it’s a privilege to be where I am today. I’m just trying to make the best out of this opportunity.” George Russell, the other Mercedes driver debuted in the 2019 season for Williams Racing. He then moved to Mercedes in 2021 in place of Valtteri Bottas. Since then Russell has been outstanding for Mercedes in the last three years and in the 2025 season, he will be in a leadership role and guide young Kimi Antonelli into Formula 1.
Mercedes is also going through a rough patch after dominating the Turbo Hybrid era for almost 8 years. So this season will mark the end of the F1 2014 engine regulations and the German team will look to end the season on high. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are the two drivers, they are betting big and all they need to do is bring consistent points and many podium finishes.
Also Read: Formula 1 2025 Pre-Season testing in Bahrain: All you need to know about the event
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