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Antonelli about Hamilton's Ferrari switch: 'Thought Toto was joking'
Young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, like many in the paddock, was stunned when the news of Lewis Hamilton's sudden departure to Ferrari broke, a move he initially did not take seriously.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-07-29T13:06:15.000Z - 2 min read
Kimi Antonelli, one of the most promising talents within the Mercedes junior program, was aware of Lewis Hamilton's rumored move to Ferrari earlier than most people. His memory of the moment he learned this groundbreaking news is one of initial surprise and a hint of disbelief, a reaction he later shared.
The announcement that Hamilton would end his long-standing association with Mercedes after the 2024 Formula 1 season to start a new chapter at Ferrari from 2025 shook up the entire motorsport world. It was an unprecedented shift that raised many questions and kept the paddock busy for months with speculation about the future of both teams and the drivers involved.
For the young Italian driver, information about this monumental transfer did not come through the media or rumors, but directly from one of the key figures within the team. Antonelli was told the details personally by none other than Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, a confidential conversation that underlines his impressive position within the organization.
"My first thought was that Toto was joking, I didn't take it seriously," Antonelli said of the moment Wolff told him the news. The nature of the announcement, so unexpected and with such a major impact, meant that Antonelli was initially unable to accept his team boss's words as truth. It simply seemed too fantastic to be reality.
It took a while before the seriousness and implications of Hamilton's decision fully dawned on the young driver. It was only when Wolff elaborated further on the details and concrete plans that Antonelli realized he was witnessing one of the biggest driver changes in recent Formula 1 history, one that would have a major impact on the team's future.
This early insight into such a sensitive and important team change highlights the close ties Antonelli has with the top management of Mercedes. It gives an idea of the level of trust people place in him, by informing him about internal matters that would shake the sport to its foundations.
The shock Antonelli felt was representative of the general reaction within the F1 community. Even for those close to the action, like Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton's move was a development that pushed the boundaries of the imagination and would profoundly change the dynamics of the seasons to come.