Antonelli will surely have big boots to fill as he forms the team\u2019s academy lineup for the coming season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025. Reaching F1 is a dream I\u2019ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they\u2019ve given me in my career so far and the faith they\u2019ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I\u2019m also really excited to become George\u2019s teammate. He came through the team\u2019s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for,\u201d Kimi said in a statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kimi\u2019s meteoric rise through the lower ranks of motorsport saw him join the team\u2019s junior programme as a 12-year-old in 2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After great success in karting, including FIA Karting European Championship and WSK Euro series titles, he graduated to single-seaters \u2013 where he stormed to both the ADAC and Italian Formula 4 titles in 2022, before claiming the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Italian made the step up to FIA Formula 2 for 2024 and has handled it superbly. He\u2019s claimed two victories so far this season, including an impressive Feature Race in Budapest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed. We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership. \u201cOur new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent,\u201d said Team Principal Toto Wolff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Italian made the step up to FIA Formula 2 for 2024 and has handled it superbly. He\u2019s claimed two victories so far this season, including an impressive Feature Race in Budapest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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