The highly anticipated decision regarding Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes for the 2025 Formula 1 season has taken an unexpected turn. Kimi Antonelli, the young driver tipped as a frontrunner to fill Hamilton’s seat as he makes his high-profile move to Ferrari, has been forced to withdraw from a crucial test event. This absence has ignited further speculation and intrigue surrounding who will partner George Russell in the coveted Mercedes garage next year.
Just days after Hamilton concluded his remarkable 12-season stint with Mercedes, finishing his final race on a high note despite a challenging qualifying session, news broke of Antonelli’s withdrawal. The seven-time world champion’s move to Ferrari has left a significant void at Mercedes, and team principal Toto Wolff has been carefully evaluating potential candidates to ensure a strong driver lineup for the future.
Antonelli’s Setback: Illness Sidelines Rising Star
Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian talent, was slated to participate in the Japanese Super Formula Championship’s winter test at the iconic Suzuka Circuit. This test was seen as a valuable opportunity for Antonelli to gain experience and further impress the Mercedes hierarchy. However, a persistent illness, which also forced him to miss the Formula 2 finale the previous weekend, has prevented him from traveling to Japan.
This setback is particularly unfortunate for Antonelli, who is considered one of the brightest young stars in motorsport. Despite a challenging first Formula 1 test outing earlier in the year where he crashed during FP1 in Monza, Antonelli remains a strong contender for the Mercedes seat. Toto Wolff has publicly expressed confidence in Antonelli’s potential, viewing him as a long-term prospect for the team.
Rookie Rival Still in the Running
While Antonelli’s absence is a blow to his testing schedule, another rookie driver, Oliver Bearman, is still expected to participate in the Suzuka test. Bearman will be driving the Dallara SF23, providing him with valuable track time and experience in a high-performance single-seater car. Bearman’s participation keeps him firmly in the frame as a potential alternative for the Mercedes seat, adding another layer of intrigue to the driver selection process.
Hamilton’s Legacy and Mercedes’ Future
Lewis Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era for Mercedes. His time with the team has been incredibly successful, yielding six of his seven world championships. As Mercedes looks to the future, the decision of who will replace Hamilton is crucial. The team needs a driver who can not only perform at the highest level alongside George Russell but also contribute to maintaining Mercedes’ competitive edge in Formula 1.
The absence of Antonelli from this key test event adds another twist to the ongoing saga of Hamilton’s replacement. While illness has temporarily sidelined one potential candidate, the spotlight now intensifies on other contenders, including Oliver Bearman, as Mercedes navigates this pivotal moment in their Formula 1 journey. The F1 world eagerly awaits Toto Wolff’s final decision on who will take up the mantle and become the next Mercedes F1 driver alongside George Russell in 2025.
