“Every race we get closer and closer to the last time I’ll be in a Mercedes” : Lewis Hamilton ’emotional’ after Mercedes confirms his replacement
The seven-time world champion has been with the Silver Arrows since 2013, winning six world championships along the way. After confirming his departure to Scuderia Ferrari in early February, the Briton has gone all out to provide one final magic season for the German team, as he has won the British and Belgian Grand Prix this season.
As for the AMG Petronas, their ideal replacement for the legendary driver would have been none other than Max Verstappen, but seeing that the Dutchman signed a contract with RBR till 2028, it did not take long for Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff to know the answer of who will replace Lewis Hamilton.
“I made up my mind five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was going to Ferrari,” said Toto Wolff following the official announcement of Andrea Kimi Antonelli replacing Hamilton.
As part of the Mercedes Junior F1 Team, Kimi Antonelli has never raced in F1 before, and he will be doing so for the first time next season, replacing probably the greatest F1 driver of all time. Clearly, Toto Wolff and co. have a lot of faith in the Italian, giving him the keys to perform at the biggest stage at just 18-years-old.
“I know Kimi is going to do a great job” : Lewis Hamilton confident over the youngster’s abilities
With a lot of ups and down throughout the season, the Briton has been on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride due to his departure from Mercedes after spending more than a decade of his career with them. When asked about how it felt to finally have his replacement in the team, Hamilton had an emotional response.
“I mean, I’ve known for ages … but definitely this morning, I knew it would be announced this morning, and I definitely woke up and it was very surreal, just to have it officially confirmed my seat is going and that I’ve held on for it for so long.” said the 39-year-old (via ESPN).
“I was quite emotional this morning. But really happy for Kimi and for this team. I know Kimi is going to do a great job.” Hamilton added.
The Briton also revealed that he has been trying to do the best he can, knowing his final races with the Silver Arrows are coming closer and closer, and that he is performing at every race like it is his last.
“It’s been there all year. Every single race we have turned up and I … I love my team so much and we have been through a hell of a lot together. So, it will be emotional every single race, because 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. My focus now is to try and do the best job I can for the team and finish on a high. I’ve got to find myself for qualifying somehow. My race pace is great, I’ve just got to figure out how to get back to my old self,” the Briton explained.
Although it will be weird to see Hamilton next season in red, the 39-year-old will finally be able to fulfil his childhood dream of dawning the Italian colours, whereas it provides Mercedes the chance to start fresh and move on from old to new in the form of their latest gem, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
