Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move not only fractured Toto Wolff’s heart but also left the Mercedes CEO with the migraine of finding a replacement. Remember how Mercedes announced Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s contract last year conveniently at the Italian GP and stole the thunder away from the Scuderia? Toto Wolff might be onto a similar thing as he nearly confirms Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement.

The 2024 Emilia Romagna GP is the first race for Hamilton in Italy after he announced his Ferrari move for 2025. The 7X champ got a warm welcome from the Tifosi, who had posters of Vasseur, Leclerc, and Hamilton together already, even though the 7X champ is still 6 months away from joining the team. But Toto Wolff might want to steal some limelight for himself in Italy this time around as well.

Kimi Antonelli has been teased as a possible replacement for Hamilton. The young Italian F2 rookie has been testing with Mercedes in the 2021 and 2022 F1 cars. However, Nico Rosberg advised Wolff to let Antonelli go to Williams for a year before joining Mercedes. But it seems like Wolff is ready to give Antonelli a shot for the upcoming season.

Speaking at the Emilia Romagna GP, and looking at the support for Hamilton from the Tifosi, Toto Wolff advised that they will get used to seeing Hamilton in Red pretty quickly and hinted at having an Italian as his replacement. As per @JunaidSamodien_’s tweet, Wolff said, “we need to look at the options, and maybe we will shine with an Italian in our car”

But not only Toto Wolff, even the 7X champ who gave the Mercedes CEO the headache in the first place would like to see Kimi Antonelli as the driver who replaces him.

Lewis Hamilton on Antonelli to Mercedes: “I would probably take on Kimi”

Lewis Hamilton was welcomed wholeheartedly by the Tifosi at Imola and now the Brit has suggested that Mercedes should go for the young Italian alongside George Russell. According to a survey, 90% of the employees at Mercedes want Max Verstappen as Hamilton’s replacement. The Dutchman, however, seems to be staying with Red Bull amid the exit rumors.

During the Imola GP weekend, Lewis was asked about the possibility of Carlos Sainz moving to Mercedes, to which he replied, “Carlos is a great driver so I think wherever he goes I think he would be a positive for any team. Honestly, I have no idea what Toto’s plans are but for me, taking on a youngster…If it was my job, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi.”

What do you think? Will Mercedes announce Kimi Antonelli in the next couple of races?