Kimi Antonelli Dismisses Comparisons To Lewis Hamilton As He Joins Mercedes For F1 Season

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old racer, is set to join Mercedes for his debut Formula One season. This follows Lewis Hamilton's surprising move to Ferrari after a 12-year stint with Mercedes. Despite comparisons to Hamilton, who debuted at 22, Antonelli dismisses these parallels. He stated, "I feel like I'm just a new Mercedes driver. Saying that I'm replacing Lewis Hamilton I don't think is really correct because he's such a big figure in the sport, and he has done so much."

Antonelli joined the Mercedes junior team in 2019 and was once considered for a position at Williams last season. His first free practice session was at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, where he drove George Russell's W15. Despite setting the fastest lap, he spun out. Later, in Mexico City, he finished 12th after floor damage cut his session short.

Antonelli acknowledges the challenges ahead as he prepares to compete against top drivers worldwide. He remarked on the intensity of motorsport and F1's demanding nature: "It's not going to be easy because my first year in F1, at the end of the day I'm racing against the 19 best drivers in the world." His focus remains on self-improvement and steady progress.

In post-season testing at Yas Marina Circuit, Antonelli completed 62 laps alongside Russell and achieved the fifth-fastest time overall. Despite these promising performances, he remains grounded about his upcoming journey in Formula One.

As Antonelli gears up for his debut season with Mercedes in March, he aims to carve his own path rather than follow Hamilton's legacy. His determination to succeed is evident as he focuses on personal growth and achieving significant results with the team.