Hamilton Feels 'Emotional' And 'Surreal' Over Antonelli Becoming Mercedes Replacement

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Lewis Hamilton expressed that he felt emotional and surreal after Kimi Antonelli was announced as his Mercedes replacement for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 18-year-old Antonelli will join George Russell on the grid next year, having signed a one-year contract to fill the void left by Hamilton, who agreed to move to Ferrari at the start of the year.

Hamilton had long been aware of the impending announcement but admitted that the reality of the situation still feels strange. "I've known for ages, but I knew it would be announced [on Saturday]," he said. "I definitely woke up, and it was very surreal, just to have it officially confirmed my seat is going and that I've held onto it for so long," Hamilton said.

Antonelli will become the third youngest F1 driver of all time when he makes his competitive debut at the season-opener in Australia next March at 18 years and 203 days old. Only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll were younger in their first starts. Hamilton said he was quite emotional on Saturday morning but really happy for Kimi and for this team. "I know Kimi is going to do a great job," he added.

Hamilton will start this weekend's Italian Grand Prix sixth on the grid while also occupying sixth place in the Drivers' Championship. He has won the British Grand Prix and finished second at the Belgian Grand Prix this term. The seven-time world champion says he has felt a great deal of emotion heading into every race during this campaign.

"It's been there all year. Every single race, we have turned up," Hamilton added. "I love my team so much, and we have been through a hell of a lot together." He mentioned that it will be emotional every single race because each race is closer to his last time in a Mercedes.

Hamilton's focus now is to try and do the best job he can for the team and finish on a high note. "Every race we do is the last time at that particular race, and every race, we get closer and closer to the last time I'll be in a Mercedes, and that is tough; it's definitely going to be tough," he said.

Here's your starting grid for the 2024 Italian Grand Prix! Norris takes pole, with championship leader Max Verstappen down in 7th #F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/vCLRvv3OFK Formula 1 (@F1) August 31, 2024