Andrea Kimi Antonelli was more nervous than he had been for some time. A racing driver’s career can often hinge on sliding doors moments such as these. The 18-year-old wasn’t trying to secure a Formula One drive. He completed that mission months ago when he signed with Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton.

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Hamilton spent 12 years with Mercedes and won six Drivers' Championships while helping transform the team into one of the biggest in the sport. The now 40-year-old departed the team at the end of the 2024 season and signed for Ferrari in a £50million-per-year deal with the Italian constructors.

Zhou Guanyu has joined Ferrari as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula One season following his exit from Sauber at the end of last year. Zhou, 25, was announced in the role by Ferrari on Wednesday.