Hamilton Exit Clears Path for Antonelli at Mercedes

Toto Wolff ensured Mercedes secured Kimi Antonelli’s future, avoiding past regrets, as Hamilton’s Ferrari move eased the decision-making process.

Wolff stated he wanted to avoid missing out on Mercedes F1 protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as he had with Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton’s surprise decision to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons to join Ferrari from 2025 left the Silver Arrows needing to find a replacement to pair with George Russell.

Last year, Wolff publicly courted Verstappen amidst turbulence at Red Bull, but when it became clear he couldn’t lure the Dutchman away, Mercedes opted to promote Antonelli after just one season in Formula 2.

Hamilton’s departure ultimately paved the way for Antonelli earlier than expected, according to Wolff, who also admitted relief at not having to make the tough call to part ways with the seven-time world champion.

“It was a nice curveball from Lewis, and it still feels strange to know he’s now wearing the Ferrari suit and driving the red car.”

“It’s just a bit surreal. But we had this 17-year-old in the pipeline [Kimi Antonelli]. I didn’t want to miss out on him, like I did with Max [Verstappen] back then when I didn’t have a car for him, so everything is falling into place.”

“And I can kind of understand Lewis’s decision because we didn’t deliver. Our car wasn’t fast enough, he certainly had a huge offer on the table, and every Formula 1 driver wants to drive for Ferrari.”

“I couldn’t make the decision from a personal standpoint—we owe him so much. And I didn’t want to make the decision, as Mercedes, to let the greatest champion of all time go.”

“Maybe he felt that too, and he knew Antonelli was in the pipeline. It was something I almost expected to happen, but not as soon as 2025.”