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Kimi Antonelli might be thriving with Mercedes right now, but many within the factory wanted Fernando Alonso to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli has had a historic start to the season, winning three of the first four races and earning a podium finish in every race so far.
This has allowed the young Italian to become the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history, as he looks set to be a key figure in the championship battle this year.
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Even the man who was his predecessor at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, has praised Antonelli’s performances this season.
And while everyone at Mercedes will be thrilled with Kimi Antonelli this season, many initially wanted a more experienced hand to replace Lewis Hamilton.
READ MORE: Toto Wolff states why it’s ‘not right’ to think Ferrari ‘should have discovered’ Kimi Antonelli
Fernando Alonso was the favourite to replace Lewis Hamilton among Mercedes factory members
Speaking on an upcoming episode of Minimo Comun Multipla, former Mercedes engineer Josema Galan revealed how the Mercedes factory felt about the replacement for Lewis Hamilton in 2024.
Toto Wolff held a team meeting, and despite pitching names like Kimi Antonelli, Sergio Perez, and Carlos Sainz, the most positively received replacement option was Fernando Alonso.
“Let me tell you a story. The day Hamilton said, ‘I’m going to Ferrari.’ Rumours were already circulating on X in various cities… And then suddenly, the general meeting arrived, and everyone was there.
“And Toto arrived, and this guy is a real showman. He explained how it happened, how he’d been told. But then he said, ‘Now we’re thinking about a replacement.’ He spoke very highly of Kimi Antonelli. And then he said, ‘Well, I want to know your opinion.’
“And he took out a list and said, ‘I have here a list of all the drivers who don’t have a contract for next year. I’m going to start saying names, and you raise your hands. If you want, not this driver.’ And I was freaking out.
“He started with random names. Sergio Perez. Not a single hand went up. Or with… He said Kimi Antonelli, nothing. I was already there. Yes, exactly. But absolute silence and discomfort. There was the guy who kept raising his hand.
“And then he said, ‘Carlos Sainz.’ He saves the best for last, I’m telling you. Carlos Sainz was coming off a good season with Ferrari. Quite a few hands. Let’s say about five per cent of the room raised their hands. Very timid. A timid raise of hands for Carlos Sainz, but it was the first time anyone had raised their hand.
“So, he saves it for last. He saves it for last and says Fernando Alonso. Like that, all the manufacturers. Wow! So, all hands went up. It was a spectacular moment because, on top of everything, we’d been criticising Alonso for years, him constantly taking our podiums. This guy is super problematic.
“You’re in England, you hear criticism of Alonso constantly, jokes about him, Spain, ‘You like Alonso, right? Well, he’s not that good,’ and so on. And suddenly, you see the whole factory eating their words and raising their hands to say they wanted to see Alonso.
“That Mercedes engine factory, I mean, it was the factory that built the engines for McLaren in 2007. Those who had been there a long time were all looking at each other like, “No way.” A spectacular moment.”
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Mercedes won’t regret their decision to choose Kimi Antonelli over Fernando Alonso
The idea to bring in Alonso to replace Hamilton seemed like a good one on paper, given his level of experience and similar level of success to Hamilton.
But it’s safe to say that Wolff and Mercedes made the right decision to bring in Kimi Antonelli, especially given how things are panning out right now.
Despite the F1 paddock ridiculing Wolff for signing Antonelli, it will be the Mercedes boss who is now laughing, with Antonelli dominating the rest of the grid.
Antonelli is quickly becoming Mercedes’ leader, and the figure who will lead them to their next prosperous period in Formula 1.
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