Mercedes now positioning 17-year-old Lewis Hamilton replacement in F2 for 2024

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Mercedes are now set to secure Andrea Kimi Antonelli a Formula 2 drive for Prema to position the FRECA championship leader as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton in 2026.

That is according to Joe Saward, who reports that Antonelli will skip competing in Formula 3 and jump straight into F2. The 17-year-old currently leads in the Formula Regional European Championship. He also won the Italian F4 and ADAC Formula 4 championships during 2022.

Antonelli is proving to be a winning machine through his fledgling career in motorsport with a wealth of karting titles. The Italian then made a move into single-seaters driving for Prema in the 2021 Italian F4 championship. Now, Mercedes want to see him driving with Premia in F2.

Mercedes now eye an F2 drive with Prema for Antonelli in 2024

Mercedes have high hopes for Antonelli’s future and signed the Bologna-born driver to their junior team in April 2019. His performances in karting caught the Silver Arrows’ attention as a true rising star. Several titles have continued to follow, as well, to justify their support since.

Now, Mercedes have eyes on securing Antonelli a seat on the F2 grid for 2024 with Prema. It is likely that he replaces fellow Mercedes-backed driver, Frederik Vesti, at the team to drive beside Oliver Bearman. Vesti is in a title fight with Sauber junior driver Theo Pourchaire now.

Antonelli could replace Hamilton in F1 at the Silver Arrows in 2026

Antonelli will bypass the traditional junior ladder of driving in F3 and jump straight into F2 at Prema. Mercedes are confident that the teenager can handle the leap as the Brackley-based outfit plans Antonelli’s route to F1. It would also make him a candidate to replace Hamilton.

Two seasons in F2 would likely position Antonelli at the top of Mercedes’ internal shortlist of drivers to replace Hamilton. The seven-time F1 champion recently signed a new contract for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. But Mercedes could promote Antonelli if Hamilton then leaves.

Vesti is second in the 2023 F2 standings during his second season in the series. He finished ninth in the standings in 2022 while driving for ART Grand Prix. While his Prema teammate, Bearman, is sixth in his rookie season. The Ferrari junior has won four races so far this year.