Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes exit is approaching. The nature of the calendar, which ends with two triple-headers separated by a break, will accelerate his farewell.
Come the start of 2025, Hamilton will be a Ferrari employee. All parties involved have known since the winter.
Mercedes wanted to sign Max Verstappen as Hamilton’s successor but he chose to stay at Red Bull for another year. Academy driver Kimi Antonelli always appeared a more realistic replacement.
Antonelli has only recently turned 18 and has had a mixed debut season in Formula 2. With two race victories, he sits sixth in the championship.
But Toto Wolff sees Antonelli as a superstar, and it was only a matter of time before he landed a Mercedes drive. Hamilton’s shock departure has simply brought that plan forward.
The team formally announced Antonelli as a 2025 driver during his home race weekend in Italy. He crashed out on his first FP1 outing, but there were no second thoughts.
Mercedes slammed for Kimi Antonelli presentation before Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari
Earlier this week, Mercedes held an unveiling ceremony for Antonelli at their HQ. The lengthy break between the Singapore and the United States Grands Prix presented an opportunity.
Antonelli addressed the team with a microphone and also answered questions from employees. They’re no doubt preparing him for the spotlight he’ll face next year.
But many Hamilton fans were unhappy, arguing that Mercedes should have waited until he’d officially left before they formally presented his replacement. @Jamal_JRab pointed out that ‘Lewis is still your driver’.
The ‘odd’ rumour circulating in the paddock about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari partnerships
There were signs of tension between Mercedes and Hamilton at the Singapore GP. The seven-time world champion was unhappy with their decision to start him on soft tyres, which forced him into an earlier pit stop.
Teammate George Russell knew Hamilton wouldn’t be ‘happy’ with the call. The radio transcript suggests Hamilton may no longer be involved in Mercedes meetings.
That wouldn’t be particularly surprising given that he’s about to join a rival. On the other hand, the 39-year-old’s contract likely forbids any sporting collaboration with Ferrari until 2025.
Commercial work may be underway already, however. Based on an ‘odd’ paddock rumour, Hamilton could sponsor himself at Ferrari through non-alcoholic tequila company Almave.
