Lewis Hamilton (L) and Kimi Antonelli (R) – X
A photo has gone viral on social media where Lewis Hamilton was seen with his successor at Mercedes Kimi Antonelli as the former is set to end his partnership with the team.
Just as the news broke that the teenager Kimi Antonelli would be replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year, a picture has hit social media where the two can be seen together when Antonelli was much younger.
The official handle of Formula 1 on X shared the photo with the caption,” Hamilton’s heir’.
Hamilton will make the switch to Ferrari in 2025. A rarity in the F1 scene where the driver announces his new team a year before. But for now, he will look to end his chapter with Mercedes on a high thus bringing an end to the 12-year partnership which put him amongst the top echelon of drivers of all-time.
Being the junior driver Antonelli will now fulfil his dream of making it to F1. But considering the expectations within the team, it will be interesting to see whether the Silver Arrows have found the next big talent or if is this a sign of their downfall.
READ MORE: F1: Mercedes Announce Rookie Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s Replacement
Antonelli took over for George Russell in the opening practice session for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
But his much-anticipated first appearance lasted fewer than six laps, and only 10 minutes, after he lost control of his Mercedes at the Parabolica, sliding backwards through the gravel and into the tyre barrier.
But it is not going to be an easy feat competing with the likes of Ferrari, Redbull and now McLaren who are on the up as well. It will be interesting to see whether the Silver Arrows can muster up their engineering expertise to build up the next best car.
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Currently, both Hamilton and Russell are at sixth and eighth in the driver’s standings ahead of the Italian GP. Mercedes are also fourth in the team standings as well.
It will be interesting to see how Toto Wolff would look to make use of Antonelli’s talents and whether he is indeed the real deal who will be amongst the top drivers within the competition.
