Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to face a significant challenge next year, as Mercedes announced on Saturday that the young Italian will take over from Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time world champion transitions to Ferrari.

The rookie, who just turned 18 last weekend, will team up with George Russell in what he describes as the “impossible” task of succeeding the F1 legend.

“He’s an incredible figure in today’s sport and has accomplished so much throughout his career,” Antonelli remarked to the media. “I don’t view this as replacing him; I’m simply the next driver for Mercedes in ’25.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that he made the decision to promote Antonelli from Formula Two “just five minutes after Lewis informed me of his move to Ferrari,” emphasizing that the new duo symbolizes the future of the team.

“Hamilton is the most significant personality in the sport, with unparalleled recognition and achievements,” Wolff noted. “While no one can truly replace him in terms of his stature, that doesn’t imply the team won’t thrive with two drivers who embody the future.”

However, neither Wolff nor the official team announcement disclosed the duration of Antonelli’s contract, and the Austrian did not rule out the possibility of acquiring Max Verstappen from Red Bull for the 2026 season when questioned about it.

"There is no debate or hesitation regarding our plans for 2026; our focus is firmly on 2024 and 2025," stated Wolff. "If any external interests arise, they will be informed before I am. These individuals will be aware simultaneously."

Antonelli was selected by Mercedes despite his inaugural F1 experience ending abruptly and dramatically during the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, where he crashed Russell’s car into the barriers at Monza after just four laps.

After being given the opportunity to drive an F1 car, he lost control at the Parabolica turn, resulting in significant damage to the front end as he veered through the gravel.

"We need to address the gap between free practice and qualifying," Wolff quipped, noting after the incident that Antonelli would likely have another opportunity to drive a Mercedes at the Mexican GP in October.

Antonelli is set to enter the premier championship following an impressive youth career that earned him a swift promotion to F2, where he races for Prema Racing.

He bypassed F3 after clinching titles in the 2022 Italian and German F4 championships, as well as last year's Middle East and European regional Formula championships.

With four rounds remaining in the F2 championship, Antonelli currently holds the seventh position, having started the season slowly before achieving his first victory in the sprint race at Silverstone in early July, followed by a win in the main race in Budapest two weeks later.

Antonelli embodies the aspirations of Italian F1 fans, hoping that a compatriot can restore glory to a motorsport-enthusiastic nation that has not seen a Grand Prix winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.

The last Italian to secure the drivers' championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953, although Mario Andretti, the 1978 champion, was born in Italy but represented the United States.