Hamilton: Good to remember Antonelli is just turning 18

The seven-time Formula 1 Champion will driver for Ferrari in 2025, and reports claim that Antonelli will the Toto Wolff's choice to become George Russell's teammate next year.

Antonelli have been testing quite a lot for Mercedes in older cars, but this weekend will to driver the team's 2024 F1 car, the W15, in FP1 for the 2024 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with an announcement confirming him as a Mercedes driver in 2025, reportedly imminent.

Hamilton was asked about his potential successor at Mercedes in 2025, he told the media on Thursday: "I said a long time ago that I think that’s who the team should choose moving forwards.

"Time will tell what they end up deciding to do. He’s one of those young, super-talented kids that’s come through, he’s a young adult now but he’s only 18.

"I think it would be good for people to remember he is just turning 18. He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and I’m really excited to see and watch his progress.

"I saw a picture earlier on of us back in, I think, 2018 and he was one of the grid kids and I’m shaking his hand at the front of the grid! It reminds you of how old you are when you have those experiences!

"But [I’m] looking forward to seeing his growth and his journey through into Formula 1," Hamilton maintained.

With many skeptical about Antonelli's ability to become an F1 driver in 2025, Hamilton backed the youngster, reminding of how he got his own break with McLaren back in 2007, he said: "We’ve been watching him through the different formulas.

"We are starting to see a lot of younger drivers coming through, and I think we’re just in that time where there’s only 20 seats and I think it’s time.

"We’re starting to see this new wave come through. In terms of taking on another driver that’s had many, many years of experience as opposed to giving an opportunity to a youngster… That’s what McLaren did for me and it worked out well.

"It’s just an opportunity for him to grow," Hamilton continued. "He would get to work with the best in class, learn from people that I’ve worked with for many years. It is a lot of weight on someone’s shoulders but, as I said, it’s a great environment and I think they will be able to nurture him and carry him through it.

"But there are other really good options, so you would have to ask Toto [Wolff] which one he’s leaning towards," the 39-year-old pointed.

With Antonelli gearing up for the Italian GP's FP1, in front of his home crowd, Hamilton urged him to have fun and enjoy the moment, when asked about his expectations of the 18-year-old, and said: "We’ll find out. It’s definitely always good having more input.

"For Kimi tomorrow it’s about enjoying yourself and having fun. This is going to be an amazing experience for him. He’s obviously already tested the old car, but tomorrow is going to be the first time I believe he’s tested the new car, which is so much nicer than the 2022 car.

"He’s going to be all smiles tomorrow, for sure, it’s a drastic difference! And the more information and the more input we get the better.

"I don’t know what to expect [with] what he’s going to come back with, but we’ll definitely take it in," the winner of a record 105 grands prix concluded.