Lewis Hamilton has urged Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, to name 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli in his place.

When Hamilton joins Ferrari in 2025, he will leave a seat empty at the Silver Arrows after seven world championships.

In addition to Carlos Sainz, who is moving up to Ferrari to make room for Hamilton, Wolff has made overtures to Max Verstappen.

“Carlos is an excellent driver, and he would bring value to any team wherever he goes,” Hamilton remarked prior to this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.

“I don’t know what Toto has planned, but if it were my job and my role, I would take on Kimi and a young person.”

Until 2028, Verstappen is bound to Red Bull, and despite the team’s off-track issues this season, it appears he will not be leaving.

While Sainz, 29, and Mercedes protégé Antonelli were the front-runners, Mercedes protégé Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon were also mentioned in relation to Hamilton’s seat; however, they have since inked new contracts with Aston Martin and Williams, respectively.

As the Silver Arrows consider their options, Antonelli, who turns 18 in August, has lately tested Mercedes gear in Austria and Imola. Mercedes is anticipated to give the Italian more runs later in the year.

Two weeks ago, Hamilton finished sixth in Miami, his best performance of an otherwise disappointing Mercedes farewell. Despite this setback, the 39-year-old Hamilton remained upbeat, saying, “The energy in the team is amazing.”

Even though we have been knocked down quite a few times this year, they never give up and are incredibly resilient.

“We still have a long way to go. However, I am looking forward to what I know is now in the works. We know what we want to do and what has to change since we have discovered our North Star.