The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team have unveiled their driver line-up for the 2025 season.
The team has opted for a blend of experience and youth, pairing the seasoned George Russell with the rising star, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli, a 18-year-old Italian, will graduate from the team’s junior program to take the leap into Formula 1.
His journey mirrors that of Russell, who also made the jump to the pinnacle of motorsport after a successful stint in the team’s junior ranks.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, expressed his enthusiasm for the new pairing.
“Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth, and out-and-out raw speed,” he said. “We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.”
Wolff praised Russell for his exceptional skills and leadership, while highlighting Antonelli’s impressive pace and potential.
“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport,” Wolff stated. “We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way.”
Russell, who has been a part of the Mercedes family since 2017, expressed his excitement at partnering with Antonelli.
“I’m really excited to be partnering with Kimi for 2025,” he said. “His record in junior formula has been formidable and his promotion is truly deserved.”
Antonelli will replace the departing Lewis Hamilton who joins Ferrari next year to partner Charles Lecrec.
