Kimi Antonelli says replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes ‘not possible’

Team principal Toto Wolff claimed he made the decision for Antonelli to partner George Russell five minutes after Hamilton told him he was leaving.

Kimi Antonelli says it would not be possible to replace Lewis Hamilton (Luca Bruno/AP)

Teenager Kimi Antonelli said Lewis Hamilton is irreplaceable after it was confirmed he will fill the British driver’s cockpit at Mercedes next year.

Hamilton’s blockbuster transfer to Ferrari leaves a vacancy at Mercedes, and, after failing to woo Max Verstappen from Red Bull, Antonelli, who turned 18 just six days ago, has been drafted in.