Kimi Antonelli says Mercedes planned his promotion before Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari move became public.

Antonelli said Toto Wolff told him at Silverstone in February 2024 that Hamilton was leaving and Mercedes was considering placing Antonelli in the Formula 1 car for 2025. He had not yet started his Formula 2 season.

Mercedes then arranged Formula 1 tests for Antonelli before his official practice debut at Monza. The team announced the following day that he would replace Hamilton in 2025.