Hamilton: Surreal to think of my replacement

MONZA, Italy — Lewis Hamilton said it was “surreal” and “emotional” to wake up on Saturday morning knowing Andrea Kimi Antonelli would be announced as his replacement at Mercedes next year.

At the start of this year Hamilton agreed a deal to move to Ferrari in 2025, leaving a space open alongside George Russell at Mercedes for next season.

After months of speculation, Mercedes confirmed on Saturday that 18-year-old Antonelli would partner Russell next year, with the new driver line-up holding a press conference alongside team boss Toto Wolff in the Monza paddock.

Hamilton has driven for Mercedes since 2013 and said it was a strange feeling knowing the Antonelli news had gone public.

“I mean, I’ve known for ages … but definitely this morning, I knew it would be announced this morning, and I definitely woke up and it was very surreal, just to have it officially confirmed my seat is going and that I’ve held on for it for so long,” Hamilton said.

“I was quite emotional this morning. But really happy for Kimi and for this team. I know Kimi is going to do a great job.”

Hamilton took an emotional win at the British Grand Prix this year — his first in over two and a half years — and followed it up with a second at the Belgian Grand Prix when teammate George Russell was disqualified for his car being under weight.

The seven-time champion, who secured six of his titles with Mercedes between 2014 and 2020, said every race this year has been emotional knowing he would leave the team at the end of the season.

“It’s been there all year. Every single race we have turned up and I … I love my team so much and we have been through a hell of a lot together.

“So it will be emotional every single race, because every race we do is the last time at that particular race and every race we get closer and closer to the last time I’ll be in a Mercedes and that is tough, it’s definitely going to be tough.

“My focus now is to try and do the best job I can for the team and finish on a high. I’ve got to find myself for qualifying somehow. My race pace is great, I’ve just got to figure out how to get back to my old self.”

Hamilton qualified sixth for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza — just 0.186 seconds off Lando Norris on pole position — but said two mistakes prevented him from securing a place on the front row of the grid.

“I’m absolutely furious,” he told Sky Sports. “I could have been on pole. I could have been at least on the front row.

“I didn’t do the job in the end. I lost 0.15 seconds into Turn One and Two and then I lost 0.1 seconds at the last corner. No one to blame but myself.

“Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now and I can’t figure it out. I’ll keep trying.

“Ultimately I’ve got to move forwards. We have a good race car, the team have done an amazing job this weekend.

“The car has been feeling much better than the last race and the team deserve better. Maybe they’ll get that with Kimi.”