New Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has insisted he doesn’t view himself as filling in for Lewis Hamilton and he’s eager to put in writing his personal story in Components 1.
After the seven-time world champion determined he would be a part of Ferrari on the completion of his twelfth season at Mercedes, the squad evaluated its choices for 2025 and finally opted for its Italian protege, regardless of the latter’s inexperience.
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Antonelli has lengthy been considered by Mercedes as a worthy substitute for Hamilton – although it was not anticipated his providers could be required so quickly – after he took back-to-back titles within the European karting championship, then received no fewer than 4 championships in his first two years in single-seaters, earlier than his transfer to F2.
“I don’t discover it proper to say I’m his substitute,” Antonelli stated about Hamilton. “He has achieved a lot within the sport, and I simply really feel like the subsequent Mercedes driver, and I actually wish to make my very own story.
“Positively, racing for Mercedes is a giant duty as a result of it’s clearly a high group, however on the identical time it’s a terrific alternative, it’s a privilege to be the place I’m right now. I’m simply attempting to make the most effective out of this chance.”
Antonelli will change into F1’s third-youngest driver ever when he takes half within the Australian Grand Prix aged 18 years and 6 months, with solely Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll having made earlier debuts.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG F1 Crew
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Having made a daring soar from Components Regional to F2 in 2024 – which was determined lengthy earlier than Mercedes grew to become conscious of Hamilton’s impending departure – Antonelli considerably struggled in F1’s feeder sequence however nonetheless managed two wins whereas outqualifying and outscoring highly-rated team-mate Oliver Bearman.
“I believe final season was a extremely, actually good lesson,” Antonelli contemplated. “You already know, it’s when the battle comes that you simply change into stronger and also you truly learn to overcome the battle.
“I believe it was actually good studying final season, and undoubtedly this 12 months I’m dealing with one other large step. In all probability there are going to be some struggles to face, and I really feel extra ready within the case of getting to face them.”
The teen is real looking about his 2025 prospects, explaining he doesn’t have “a variety of expectations” regardless of arguably being the primary driver to make his debut in an precise high group since 2007 – again when Hamilton took F1 by storm as McLaren’s rookie.
“What I’m actually going to do is attempt to give attention to the method, attempt to get pleasure from as properly,” stated Antonelli. “Positively, one thing I actually wish to do is beginning with a very good rhythm, attempting to construct from it and attempting to be constant.
“After all, the mindset is all the time going to be the identical: attempting to go on monitor and win, and do the most effective outcomes potential. However you must be real looking on the identical time, as a result of the extent is tremendous aggressive.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
In the meantime, new group chief George Russell has tipped Antonelli to match his tempo immediately, whereas acknowledging his incoming team-mate will nonetheless have a steep studying curve.
“Kimi is a brilliant quick driver, tremendous motivated,” the three-time grand prix winner stated. “Naturally, for any driver of their first 12 months, rather a lot to study, however I’m certain it’s going to be a very good season collectively.”
Having made his personal debut in 2019, Russell is aware of what Antonelli’s state of affairs appears like, to some extent.
“You’ve obtained a lot confidence in your self,” he defined. “Once I look again to myself once I was Kimi’s age, I don’t suppose you’re any slower, you simply achieve expertise over time, you know the way to cope with the journey of Components 1, work for two,000 folks.
“However when you’ve obtained the velocity, you’ve obtained it – and when you don’t, you don’t. It’s virtually so simple as that.
“I’m certain Kimi goes to maintain me on my toes and we’ll be pushing one another.”
On this article
Ben Vinel
Components 1
Lewis Hamilton
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
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