New Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has insisted he doesn’t view himself as filling in for Lewis Hamilton and he’s eager to jot down his personal story in System 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 companies can 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 finished 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.
“Undoubtedly, racing for Mercedes is an enormous duty as a result of it’s clearly a high crew, however on the similar time it’s an incredible alternative, it’s a privilege to be the place I’m at this time. 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 Workforce
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
Having made a daring leap from System 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 collection 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. “, it’s when the wrestle comes that you simply change into stronger and also you really learn to overcome the wrestle.
“I believe it was actually good studying final season, and positively this 12 months I’m going through one other massive step. Most likely 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 practical about his 2025 prospects, explaining he doesn’t have “plenty of expectations” regardless of arguably being the primary driver to make his debut in an precise high crew since 2007 – again when Hamilton took F1 by storm as McLaren’s rookie.
“What I’m actually going to do is attempt to deal with the method, attempt to take pleasure in as effectively,” stated Antonelli. “Undoubtedly, one thing I actually wish to do is beginning with rhythm, attempting to construct from it and attempting to be constant.
“In fact, the mindset is at all times going to be the identical: attempting to go on observe and win, and do the most effective outcomes attainable. However you must be practical on the similar time, as a result of the extent is tremendous aggressive.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
In the meantime, new crew chief George Russell has tipped Antonelli to match his tempo right away, whereas acknowledging his incoming team-mate will nonetheless have a steep studying curve.
“Kimi is an excellent 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 positive it’s going to be season collectively.”
Having made his personal debut in 2019, Russell is aware of what Antonelli’s scenario seems like, to some extent.
“You’ve acquired 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 acquire expertise over time, you understand how to take care of the journey of System 1, work for two,000 individuals.
“However if you happen to’ve acquired the pace, you’ve acquired it – and if you happen to don’t, you don’t. It’s nearly so simple as that.
“I’m positive Kimi goes to maintain me on my toes and we’ll be pushing one another.”
On this article
Ben Vinel
System 1
Lewis Hamilton
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
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