Lewis Hamilton replaced at Mexican Grand Prix after Mercedes ‘p….read more
Mercedes is set to make a significant change at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepping in for Lewis Hamilton during FP1. This decision follows a challenging weekend for Hamilton at the United States Grand Prix, where he faced a series of setbacks. In the Austin race, Hamilton’s troubles began in FP1 with a spin, and continued through the sprint race, where he managed only a sixth-place finish. The difficulties culminated in a disappointing Q1 session, leaving him to start 19th on the grid. Though he showed early promise by quickly moving up to 12th place, his efforts were cut short by a third-lap crash that ended his race.
In contrast, George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate, secured a sixth-place finish, prompting Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff to express confusion over Hamilton’s drop in form. According to sources like RaceFans, Wolff described the performance decline of the Mercedes W15 as puzzling, with the team now eager to conduct a closer analysis. This week’s decision to have Antonelli in Hamilton’s seat is aimed at gathering data on the new upgrades for the car, which Mercedes is keen to evaluate.
For Antonelli, this is another major step in his budding career. The young Italian, currently competing in the FIA Formula 1 Championship, has shown promising potential. Earlier this season, his early laps at Monza impressed Mercedes staff, although his session was cut short by a spin that ended his run. Despite that setback, Antonelli has had notable successes, with victories at Silverstone and Hungary. These accomplishments have placed him sixth in the current championship standings, a strong position for a rookie.
The upcoming opportunity at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez isn’t just about data collection for Mercedes—it’s also part of Antonelli’s preparation for a full-time F1 drive. The Italian is expected to join the grid as a permanent driver in 2025, taking over Hamilton’s seat when the seven-time world champion moves to Ferrari at the end of this season.
The decision reflects Mercedes’ investment in the future as they continue to adapt and seek answers after a season that has had its share of highs and lows. Antonelli’s potential, already showcased on multiple occasions, will once again be under the spotlight in Mexico. For the team, it’s both an assessment of the young driver’s capabilities and an opportunity to better understand the dynamics of their car amid Hamilton’s unexpected struggles in Austin.
As the season winds down, all eyes will be on Antonelli’s performance during FP1, a session that will not only shape Mercedes’ immediate strategy but could also offer a glimpse into the team’s long-term plans for a post-Hamilton era.
