At just 18 years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is stepping into the spotlight in Formula 1, filling the massive shoes left by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, the young rookie is taking Hamilton’s advice to heart, focusing on the journey rather than the pressure of replacing a seven-time world champion.
The Guidance from Hamilton: Stay Calm, Focus on Yourself
As the highly anticipated F1 75 LIVE event kicked off in London, Antonelli opened up about the wisdom he received from Hamilton before the Briton’s move to Ferrari. “He said mainly to enjoy, not worrying about the external circumstances. Just work on yourself, enjoy the process,” Antonelli shared, echoing a sentiment that is rare in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
This advice comes at a pivotal time for Antonelli, who’s following in the footsteps of a driver whose legacy at Mercedes includes six world championships. Rather than see himself as Hamilton’s replacement, Antonelli prefers to think of himself as “the next Mercedes driver.” A humble yet confident mindset that seems to suit him well as he begins his own F1 journey.
Drawing Inspiration from Hamilton’s 2007 Rookie Year
Despite the massive difference in experience, Antonelli finds inspiration in Hamilton’s iconic 2007 rookie season, where the then-22-year-old finished just one point shy of winning the championship in his debut year with McLaren. Antonelli, who wasn’t even born when Hamilton made his historic debut, has clearly studied Hamilton’s approach, admiring the consistency that helped the Briton excel in his first season.
“What he did really well is starting off well and then keep developing without trying to do too much. That’s why he did an amazing season, and that’s what I’m going to try to do,” Antonelli said.
His focus on steady development rather than explosive, uncalculated moves aligns with Hamilton’s seasoned philosophy of pacing oneself through the highs and lows of a rookie year. Antonelli aims to use the same careful approach that made Hamilton’s debut so legendary.
A Rocky Start: The Monza Crash and the Road to Recovery
Antonelli’s transition to Formula 1 wasn’t without its bumps. Last year, during a Formula 2 race, he had his first taste of F1 when he drove for Mercedes in Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Unfortunately, a high-speed crash in George Russell’s car shook up the young talent. In an act of humility, Antonelli apologized to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff for the mishap.
“Mercedes gave me the support I needed,” Antonelli said, reflecting on the team’s positive approach to the incident. He admits that in F1, with cars that are increasingly aerodynamically sensitive, the margin for error is razor-thin. “The fine line between being on the limit and going over is so little. And as soon as you go 105%, it happens like what happened in Monza,” he explained.
Despite the crash, Antonelli’s determination remains strong. His maturity in handling setbacks speaks volumes about his readiness to step into F1, especially under the watchful eye of Mercedes.
The Future Looks Bright for the Young Driver
While the road ahead won’t be without challenges, Antonelli’s approach to racing and his unshakable focus on developing steadily could see him achieve great things in F1. As he takes on one of the most coveted seats in motorsport, there’s no doubt that his calm and focused mentality, guided by Hamilton’s advice, will serve him well in what’s sure to be a thrilling career.
As for the future? Antonelli is determined to live up to the legacy of the team’s iconic past while carving out his own path to success. One thing’s for sure — he’s not here just to fill Hamilton’s shoes. He’s here to make his own mark.