Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of this year and, speaking to reporters in Imola, named who he thinks should fill his seat after his exit
Lewis Hamilton wants Mercedes to replace him with teenage starlet Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Toto Wolff must find a replacement for the seven-time Formula 1 champion when he departs for Ferrari at the end of the year. And 17-year-old Italian starlet Antonelli is believed to be one of the front-runners for the seat.
He does not qualify for a super licence until he turns 18 in August and is in just his first season in Formula 2 – having skipped F3 altogether. But his record in junior racing series is so strong that Mercedes see him as Hamilton’s long-term success.
And the Briton himself believes Antonelli should be thrust in at the deep end. Speaking to reporters in Imola, including Mirror Sport, Hamilton gave his verdict on the options at his boss’ disposal.
He said: “I think Carlos [Sainz] is a great driver, so wherever he goes he would be a positive for any team. Honestly, I have no idea what Toto’s plans are but, for me, taking on a youngster would be [the right move]. If it was my job, my role, I’d probably take on Kimi.”
Antonelli’s talent is obvious but former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg is not sure his old team should risk handing Hamilton’s seat to someone with such little experience. “Antonelli is definitely a superstar of the future. But unfortunately the timing is too early for him,” the German said.
“[It is] too early for Toto to choose Antonelli. That’s asking a lot, because he hasn’t shown anything in Formula 2 yet. That’s the minimum requirement to do well in Formula 2 in order to be considered for Formula 1. Therefore, Toto has to take his time with this strategy and wait until summer or autumn for the decision.
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“[Sainz] probably wants a multi-year contract and that doesn’t make much sense from Mercedes’ point of view. That’s what makes it so difficult and that’s why Toto is looking closely at how things are going with Antonelli.”
Antonelli has been given an extensive testing schedule by Mercedes who clearly want to fast-track him into F1. But the Silver Arrows insist they were not behind a recent application to the FIA to give the teenager special dispensation to race in the sport before his 18th birthday.
It is believed customer team Williams are also keen on Antonelli. And that is an option that could appeal to Mercedes, as their starlet could be blooded in F1 while they sign a short-term option to race for them until the Italian is deemed ready to make the step up.