Kimi Antonelli, George Russell’s future partner at Mercedes, has named the number he would like to compete under in Formula 1, but his choice is subject to FIA approval.
According to the 18-year-old driver, he would prefer the number 12, which he used in Italian F4 in 2022, and in the Middle East and European Formula Regional championships last year, winning the title in all three series.
“I like different numbers, but especially number 12,” the championship’s official website quotes Kimi. – I’ve been using it since F4, and for me everything has always gone well, so there’s no reason to change it next year.
Of course, I dreamed of Formula 1 from a very young age, and when it was finally announced that I would become a Mercedes driver in 2025, I felt great joy. I can’t wait to get started as soon as possible.”
When Antonelli was asked if he was ready to replace Lewis Hamilton, as it is a very big responsibility, the young driver replied: “I think it is impossible to replace him. After all, he became a very important figure in modern sport and achieved a lot during his career.
“I don’t want to be seen as a replacement for Lewis; I’m just a Mercedes driver. He’s a great person and he supports me, so I’m very happy.”
By the end of the year, Kimi will have to drive Mercedes cars more than once: in addition to participating in training in Mexico City and in tests in Abu Dhabi after the end of the season, the team also planned additional tests for him behind the scenes. wheel of vehicles from previous production years. Of course, he will continue to compete in Formula 2 for the Prema team – three rounds before the end of the season, Antonelli takes 6th place in the individual championship of the youth series.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
