Salary and Contract Details

In his inaugural F1 season, Antonelli’s earnings reflect his rookie status. Reports indicate that he is earning a base salary of $2 million for the 2025 season with Mercedes. This figure places him among the lower-paid drivers on the grid, which is typical for newcomers who are yet to establish themselves fully in the sport.

For context, his teammate George Russell is reported to earn a base salary of $15 million, highlighting the disparity between seasoned drivers and rookies. However, Antonelli’s performance thus far suggests that he may command higher earnings in future seasons as he continues to prove his worth.

On-Track Performance

Antonelli’s debut season has been marked by impressive performances. He has consistently finished in the points, with notable achievements including a sixth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix. These results have positioned him fifth in the World Drivers’ Championship standings, ahead of more experienced competitors.

His ability to adapt quickly to the demands of Formula 1 racing has not gone unnoticed. Team principal Toto Wolff has praised Antonelli’s composure and technical feedback, indicating a bright future ahead for the young driver.

Personal Life: Relationship with Eliska Babickova

Beyond the racetrack, Antonelli maintains a relatively private personal life. However, it is known that he is in a relationship with Eliska Babickova, a fellow racing enthusiast from the Czech Republic. Babickova is a professional karting driver who won the OK class of the Italian Karting Championship in 2023.

The couple has been together since 2024, sharing a mutual passion for motorsports. They have been seen together at various events, including the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where they appeared in the paddock together.

Final Thoughts

Kimi Antonelli’s entry into Formula 1 has been marked by promising performances and a grounded personal life. While his current salary reflects his rookie status, his on-track achievements suggest a trajectory that could see him become one of the sport’s top earners in the future.

Coupled with a supportive relationship with fellow racer Eliska Babickova, Antonelli appears well-positioned for continued success both professionally and personally.

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Among the contenders rumored to replace the seven-time world champion is the young and talented 17-year-old Italian, Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli boasts an impressive track record as a two-time European karting champion, Italian F4 champion, and ADAC Formula 4 champion, and he has also secured victories in both the Middle Eastern and European regional championships.

Antonelli’s achievements have propelled him to a remarkable position in his career. Instead of the conventional progression through Formula 3 (F3), he has been promoted directly to Formula 2 (F2), where he will be racing for Prema in the 2024 season.

READ: FIA to continue speaking to F1 amid Andretti rejection

Notably, Antonelli has already accumulated sufficient super license points to compete in Formula 1, but he will need to reach the age of 18 before he can be eligible to race at the highest level of motorsport.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is a firm believer in Antonelli’s potential, but he has exercised caution regarding any premature discussions about the young driver’s future in Formula 1.

Wolff emphasized the importance of Antonelli focusing on his upcoming F2 campaign and suggested that creating speculative rumors in the media would not be conducive to his development.

Wolff explained, “Kimi has been with Mercedes since he was 11. He’s been in the junior programme, and his junior career was very successful.

“I think most important at this stage is that he concentrates on F2. I think if we start to spin his mind or unleash rumors in the media onto him, that’s not going to help his F2 campaign.

“He’s just stepped out of karts a few years ago, and he’s not even 18. So I would rather not start any speculation about Kimi going into F1 at this stage.”

It’s worth noting that fast-tracking young drivers is not a new concept in Formula 1, with Max Verstappen being a prominent example.

Verstappen skipped F2 entirely and made his debut in Formula 1 in 2015, becoming the youngest driver to compete in a race weekend at just 17 years and three days old.

However, the rules have since evolved, requiring drivers like Antonelli to be 18 years old to obtain their super license.

READ: Ralf Schumacher rips into ex-McLaren CEO

Toto Wolff has also indicated that there is no rush to find Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes.

He mentioned that they may have considered McLaren driver Lando Norris as an option, but the timing didn’t align with the recent extension of Norris’s contract with McLaren.

While Kimi Antonelli’s future in Formula 1 holds great promise, it appears that patience and a steady focus on his F2 career will be the guiding principles for now, as the motorsport world eagerly anticipates his journey towards the pinnacle of racing.

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It was confirmed on Thursday evening that Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season, to complete a switch to Ferrari after signing a “multi-year” contract.

The seven-time World Champion will replace Carlos Sainz, who is now without a seat for next year.

Mercedes also now have work to do ahead of 2025, as they need to find a suitable candidate to replace the 103-time race winner.

READ: Felipe Massa told he has ‘personal right’ to take Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title

With there being several drivers out of contract at the conclusion of 2024, Mercedes has plenty of options in their search for a new teammate for George Russell

Carlos Sainz

The first – and perhaps most obvious – option is Sainz.

Sainz is a race winner and was the only non-Red Bull driver to be victorious in 2023, at the Singapore Grand Prix.

He is a very talented driver who was praised last year for his consistent results, something Mercedes will need in their new driver as Hamilton was very reliable.

Whilst Sainz perhaps doesn’t have the same raw pace as Hamilton or Russell, he has proven to be an excellent number two driver and could even surprise a few people without the pressure of the Tifosi.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon is another driver out of contract at the conclusion of 2024 and is on the wishlist of several teams.

Red Bull and Alpine have both been linked to the Thai driver; however, as he currently drivers for a customer Mercedes team – Williams – a move to Brackley could be on the cards.

At 27 years old, Albon is reaching the peak of his career performance-wise and has proven that he can lead a time.

He scored regular points for Williams in 2023 and was often in Q3, suggesting that in a Mercedes he could compete consistently for big points.

Fernando Alonso

If Mercedes simply want a short-term solution, then Fernando Alonso is arguably the right driver to sign.

The two-time World Champion is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of 2024, and whilst he’s reportedly keen on staying with the Silverstone-based outfit, he’d likely be foolish to turn down team principal Toto Wolff.

Moving to Mercedes could be Alonso’s final chance at fighting for wins and potentially even a championship, especially if he were to enter the new power unit regulations with them in 2026.

Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes might be on the hunt for a short-term driver so they can allow the incredibly talented Kimi Antonelli to grow up a little.

READ: FIA to continue speaking to F1 amid Andretti rejection

Antonelli is a Mercedes junior driver and is only 17 years old, he’s also the reigning FRECA Champion and is jumping up to Formula 2 this year with PREMA Racing.

He is viewed as the next big thing and the biggest talent since Max Verstappen, so there is a chance that if he performs well in his debut F2 campaign, that Mercedes take a risk and put Antonelli straight into Hamilton’s seat.

McLaren got lucky in 2007 when they put Hamilton straight into the team after winning the 2006 GP2 title, perhaps Mercedes can do the same with Antonelli.

The post Who will replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025? appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Since Hamilton left McLaren for Mercedes at the conclusion of the 2012 season, the two are formed a formidable partnership, with the 39-year-old having effectively led the team ever since he joined them.

It’s almost impossible to imagine Mercedes without Hamilton in their driver line-up, not only because of the success they’ve had together but because 2024 will be his 12th campaign with them.

Of course, 2024 won’t be his last season with the Brackley-based outfit, as he signed a two-year extension prior to last year’s Italian Grand Prix.

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Hamilton will remain a Mercedes driver until at least the end of 2025 and there is every chance that he could continue racing for them beyond that.

42-year-old Fernando Alonso is proof that age really is just as a number, given that 2023 was arguably his strongest season since fighting Sebastian Vettel for the 2012 Drivers’ Championship.

Hamilton could definitely race for Mercedes in 2026 when the new power unit regulations are introduced; however, there will eventually be a day when he does decide to walk away from F1.

Hiring a replacement for Hamilton is a task Mercedes are possibly already preparing themselves for, especially as they’ll need someone who has the potential to be as impactful as the Stevenage-born driver.

Thankfully for the German manufacturer, they do have a young star in the making on their books.

Kimi Antonelli is regarded by many as potentially the hottest talent since Max Verstappen leapt from Formula 3 to F1 in 2015, which is why Mercedes were quick to sign him onto their junior programme.

Mercedes are aware of Antonelli’s potential and are nurturing him towards an F1 career, with him making the giant step up from Formula Regional European Championship – he won the 2023 title with ease – to Formula 2.

He will be racing for Prema Racing with support from Mercedes, with some openly expecting him to compete for the title in his rookie season.

With Hamilton being contracted until at least the end of 2025, it gives Mercedes minimum 24 months to get Antonelli ready for F1.

READ: Sergio Perez not the ‘right option’ for Alpine

Should Hamilton continue beyond 2025, then the Silver Arrows will have time to get Antonelli a seat at one of their customer teams before replacing Hamilton, similar to what the outfit did with George Russell.

It was always known that Russell would eventually race for Mercedes; however, the side gave him to Williams for three seasons so he could settle into the sport, before being thrown into the spotlight next to Hamilton.

The spotlight will arguably be even bigger on Antonelli if he is Hamilton’s replacement, a pressure Mercedes will need to manage extremely carefully.

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