Italian Antonelli, who has won one sprint and one race for Prema Racing in Formula 2 this year, will join Briton George Russell at Mercedes, while Hamilton will move to Ferrari.
“I am very excited to be working with Kimi in the 2025 season. His achievements in the junior formula are impressive and his promotion is truly deserved,” Russell said in a statement.
“I know how much support Lewis has been for me throughout my time as a junior driver and since becoming his team-mate. I have learned a lot from him and I hope I can play a similar role for Kimi,” he added.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said Russell and Antonelli are the perfect line-up for the team to begin its next chapter.
“Kimi has consistently demonstrated the talent and speed needed to compete at the top of our sport,” he said.
“We know this will be another big step forward, but he impressed us during this year’s F1 testing. In George he has an experienced team-mate from whom he can learn and improve his skills,” added Wolff.
Russell is eighth in the world championship standings ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, while Hamilton is sixth.
Italy has had to wait since 2006 for another F1 victory, when Giancarlo Fisichella triumphed at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. Italian fans have been waiting much longer for a title, as the last Italian champion was Alberto Ascari in 1953.
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bg/PAP
