In a major shakeup for the 2025 F1 season, Toto Wolff has revealed that 17-year-old Italian sensation Kimi Antonelli is his top choice to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. With Max Verstappen locked into his Red Bull contract until at least 2026, Wolff is turning his focus to fresh talent.
Speaking at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday, Wolff hinted at the rising star’s potential: “We have a youngster who is arriving and who is very strong.”
Antonelli, a promising talent groomed by Wolff himself, has been making waves in his debut season of Formula 2, showing remarkable improvement and skill. Wolff told Autosportwereld, a Belgian publication, “The criteria for our next driver is simple – we want the best driver available. At the moment, my first option is Kimi Antonelli.”
Rumors suggest Antonelli has already been informed of his future seat, especially as Carlos Sainz edges closer to a deal with Williams. Wolff emphasized the strategic nature of this decision: “Other drivers would sign a one or two-year contract, but that’s not enough for us. So I’m happy to take a risk with Antonelli, because it’s a calculated risk.”
Reflecting on the progress of drivers like Oscar Piastri, Wolff is optimistic about Antonelli’s development alongside George Russell. “If you look at the progress of Piastri, it took him a year and a half to compete for victory at the level of Lando Norris. We want to try to do the same with Kimi. In 2025, with the changes in 2026, we’ll be in transition anyway,” Wolff explained. “So it’s a good season to bring him into our team.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Wolff noted, “Of course, there are risks, but they are not so much in his talent as a driver. He would be exposed to the media and the skills of George Russell, one of the best drivers on the grid. But Kimi has enormous potential. His speed and talent are already at a certain level, he just lacks the experience.”
With Russell secured, Wolff views Hamilton’s departure as a new opportunity for Mercedes. “I have always seen the departure of a driver as a new opportunity for the team,” he said. “Change is good – you have to embrace it.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, though initially surprising, has paved the way for this exciting transition. Wolff concluded, “When Lewis told me the news, I initially thought ‘Why now and not halfway through the season?’ But he thought it was necessary not only for him, but also for the team. We don’t have to rush. We want to wait to make the right decision.”
