© Sam Bloxham for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the driver who will ‘replace’ Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, says “no one can ever replace Lewis because he’s such a great driver, such a great figure in the sport”.
After it was announced that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, many have wondered for months who his ‘replacement’ will be in 2025.
It turns out that driver is Mercedes’ junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli. After the announcement of Kimi’s signing was made, the young Italian was asked to look back at the time he first met Lewis.
“It was 2018, I was a grid boy,” Kimi said.
“It was crazy because they assigned me Lewis Hamilton. I was already super excited for it.
“Just before this moment, they just finished singing the national anthem, and as Lewis was heading back to the car, I remember calling him and saying, ‘Remember, you’re the best, you can win this’ as it was a tight battle with Ferrari.
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“I remember telling him that, and eventually he won the race. It was a great feeling to be able to give him a high five just before the race.”
Kimi went on to say a driver like Lewis Hamilton can never be ‘replaced’.
“I have to be honest, no one can ever replace Lewis because he’s such a great driver, such a great figure in the sport.
“He’s been helpful. Before my FP1, he came to me, gave me a high five, and told me to enjoy as much as possible.
“During weekends, sometimes we catch up, talk a bit about how the session goes, and sometimes he gives me advice – like to keep working hard and believe in yourself because your time will come.
“He’s such a great guy, and I’m really thankful to have built a relationship with him.
“He’s such a great driver and super nice as well,” the Italian concluded.
Lewis also acknowledged Kimi’s signing in his Instagram story.
“Congrats [Kimi Antonelli],” Lewis wrote.
“I have no doubt that you’ll bring a lot to the team alongside George next year,” he concluded.
