Mercedes has formally confirmed Kimi Antonelli as teammate to George Russell within the 2025 Method One World Championship.
Each drivers have graduated from the group’s Junior programme., Russell heading into his fourth season with the group, and seventh in F1, whereas Antonelli steps up from F2 following a stellar profession in junior formulae.
“Our 2025 driver line-up combines expertise, expertise, youth and out-and-out uncooked pace,” stated Toto Wolff. “We’re enthusiastic about what George and Kimi carry to the group each as particular person drivers, but additionally as a partnership. Our new line-up is ideal to open the subsequent chapter in our story. It is usually a testomony to the power of our junior programme and our perception in home-grown expertise.
“George has proved that he is likely one of the best drivers on this planet. He isn’t solely quick, constant, and decided, however has additionally developed into a robust chief throughout the group. Kimi has constantly proven the expertise and pace wanted to compete on the very high of our sport. We all know will probably be one other large step up, however he has impressed us in his F1 testing this yr and we will likely be supporting him each step of the best way within the studying course of. In George, he has an skilled team-mate from which he can study and hone his craft. I’m assured that each will contribute significantly as we proceed to construct momentum and combat on the entrance of the sector.”
Russell joined the group’s junior programme in 2017. He rose quickly by the single-seater ranks to F1, profitable the GP3 and F2 championships in his first season. After three years at Williams – together with a formidable cameo for Mercedes at Bahrain in 2020 – he was promoted to companion Lewis Hamilton in 2022. He claimed his maiden F1 victory within the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and have become a a number of race winner with success in Austria this yr.
“I am actually excited to be partnering with Kimi for 2025,” stated Russell. “His file in junior method has been formidable and his promotion is really deserved. He is a improbable younger expertise and a fellow graduate of our junior programme. I stay up for utilizing the expertise I’ve gained from my very own journey to supply steerage to Kimi as he makes the step as much as F1. I understand how a lot of a help Lewis was for me all through my time as a junior driver and since I have been his team-mate. I’ve discovered a lot from him and I hope to play an analogous function for Kimi.
“As a group, we’re constructing loads of optimistic momentum heading into subsequent yr,” he added. “We proceed to make progress on observe and are working arduous to place all of the items in place to combat for world championships. It’s a actually thrilling journey we’re on; I’m assured Kimi and I can proceed to push the group ahead and assist ship on the promise we’re exhibiting.”
Antonelli in the meantime has loved a surprising rise by the decrease ranks of motorsport, and joined the group’s junior programme as a 12-year outdated in 2019. After success in karting, together with FIA Karting European Championship and WSK Euro collection titles, he graduated to single-seaters. He stormed to each the ADAC and Italian Method 4 titles in 2022, earlier than claiming the 2023 Method Regional European Championship.
He made the step as much as Method 2 for 2024 and has claimed two victories to date this season, together with a formidable Characteristic Race success in Budapest.
“It’s a tremendous feeling to be introduced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” stated the teenager. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I used to be a small boy; I wish to thank the group for the help they’ve given me in my profession to date and the religion they’ve proven in me. I’m nonetheless studying so much, however I really feel prepared for the chance. I will likely be centered on getting higher and delivering the absolute best outcomes for the group.
“I am additionally actually excited to grow to be George’s team-mate. He got here by the group’s junior programme similar to myself and is somebody I’ve an enormous quantity of respect for. He’s super-fast, a a number of Grand Prix winner, and has already helped me enhance as a driver. I’m trying ahead to studying from him and dealing collectively to ship on observe.”
“It’s an thrilling time for the group as we unveil our driver line-up for 2025,” stated Markus Schfer, Non-Government Chairman & Mercedes-Benz AG CTO. “We open the subsequent chapter in our story subsequent yr and have a improbable partnership with which to take action.
“George, as a a number of Grand Prix winner, has developed right into a top-tier driver. It has been a pleasure to see him come by the ranks of the group’s junior programme, set up himself in F1 over the previous few years, and grow to be a frontrunner throughout the group.
“Kimi, similar to George and Lewis, is certainly one of our home-grown abilities with a really promising future. His file at junior degree is extremely spectacular and his uncooked pace is obvious to see. I can not wait to see him in a race seat subsequent yr and watch his supreme expertise shine in a Mercedes F1 automobile.”
