Lewis Hamilton's potential future replacement Kimi Antonelli has been fast-tracked to Formula 2.
The Italian racer only turned 17 in August but is considered one of the biggest rising stars in the single-seater motorsport world. And Mercedes recognised that four years ago when they signed him up as a member of their young driver development programme.
Antonelli already has five title successes to his name in the junior formulae over the last three seasons. This year he won the Formula Regional Middle East Championship before repeating the trick in the European edition of the series.
That success has seen him promoted to the official ladder to Formula 1 for 2024. But, notably, he will skip Formula 3 altogether and will continue to race for the Prema Racing team with which he is already so familiar in F2.
"I'm very happy for this opportunity," said the teenager from Bologna. "From Formula Regional to Formula 2, it will be a huge jump. I'm aware that it will be very challenging because the level is really high there. It will be a new car, for me and the others as well, but it's still going to be tough.
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"I don't want to set expectations, I will try to learn as much as possible in testing to be ready for the first race, have fun as always, and do a good job. I'm delighted to continue with Prema as I started my single-seater career with them and they are my second family. I love working with them."
Antonelli will get his first taste of an F2 car at the end of this season, in the official test in Abu Dhabi after the final round of the championship. Oliver Bearman, the Ferrari junior who is already a race winner at F2 level in this rookie season, is expected to be his team-mate, though this is not yet confirmed.
It is another hint that Mercedes continues to plan for life after Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion recently put pen to paper on a fresh two-year contract extension but, a few months shy of his 39th birthday, Hamilton is in the twilight of his glittering F1 career.
As for who might replace him one day, team principal Toto Wolff has already highlighted Antonelli as a massive talent for which Mercedes have high hopes. "Antonelli is a very talented Italian driver in whom we have invested. He won everything in F4 and has shown that he is really strong, fantastic to see.," he said of the Italian.
"But we don't want to put too much pressure on him... Andrea is only 17 years old, we don't want to burn him, we have to let him become an adult. We need to do everything calmly."
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