Kimi Antonelli is officially Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.
Mercedes announced Saturday that the 18-year-old Italian would take the seven-time champion’s spot next season when Hamilton moves to Ferrari. Antonelli has widely been expected to take over for Hamilton alongside George Russell, especially after Carlos Sainz signed with Williams and the rumors that Max Verstappen could be looking to leave Red Bull went nowhere.
“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but as a partnership,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said in a statement.
“Our new lineup is perfect to open the next chapter in our story.