Lewis Hamilton replaced with 18-year-old in clear Mercedes succession plan

Lewis Hamilton will not participate in the first practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix with junior set to drive in his place.

, 39, confirmed earlier this year that he would leave Mercedes at the end of the season and has endured a mixed campaign. The Brit after crashing into the gravel during his third lap.

And it has now been revealed that the seven-time champion will be replaced by Antonelli, 18, who will participate in his second FP1 session of the season in Mexico City.

Antonelli also drove for Mercedes on the Friday back in September in Monza. But the talented teenager's session came to an abrupt end in the fifth session following a crash.

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The Italian is set to replace Hamilton for Mercedes next season when he links up with Ferrari. He recently revealed that the Formula 1 legend has been a big help behind the scenes by providing Antonelli with plenty of support and encouragement.

He also moved to play down talk that he was replacing the Brit, with Antonelli insisting that Hamilton is, quite simply, irreplaceable. He said last month: "I think it's not possible to replace .

"He's such a great figure in the sport of today, and he has achieved so much in his career, so I don't want to [be seen] as his replacement I'm just the next driver for Mercedes in '25, so I'm really excited for that."

Mercedes team principal defended Hamilton following his mishap in Texas after revealing that the driver apologised after he failed to finish in the US.

Wolff said: "Today, an incident in that corner that came out of nowhere. He was not pushing. So where I sit at the moment, it is 100 percent not Lewis' fault. That is not to say that I am protecting him - it is clear.

"We are keen on (finishing on a high before Hamilton's Ferrari move), but how his mindset and how the relationships are in the team is as good as we ever had. First thing he said, he apologised for the incident. As I said before, I do not think it was his fault. Something caught him out.

"We want to celebrate it and finish it on a high and I am sure we will. Whether we can do it with great performance in the car, that would be fantastic. But if not, then we will give it our best shot. I think he will be looking at what they are and we think that red car is quick."