ADVERTISEMENT
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Kimi Antonelli Rejects ‘Hamilton Replacement’ Label, Focused on His Own Mercedes Journey

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
February 11, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Kimi Antonelli Grapples with Pressure as He Prepares for Mercedes F1 Debut

Kimi Antonelli ©

ADVERTISEMENT

As Kimi Antonelli prepares to make his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes, the 18-year-old sensation is making one thing clear—he is not here to replace Lewis Hamilton.

With Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, Antonelli has been handed the monumental task of stepping into one of the most coveted seats in motorsport. But rather than viewing himself as the next Hamilton, the Italian prodigy insists he’s here to forge his own path.

“I feel like I’m just a new Mercedes driver,” Antonelli told Sky Sports.
“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 has done so much.”

“I just want to make my way, achieve great results, and be successful.”

Antonelli’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of stunning, but with it comes the pressure of stepping into a seat that has won multiple world championships.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Fast-Tracked Career: Antonelli’s High-Speed Ascent to F1

Antonelli’s journey to Formula 1 has been one of the most rapid promotions in modern F1 history.

🔹 2022: Competes in Formula Regional
🔹 2023: Moves up to Formula 2
🔹 2024: Skips a full F2 season, focusing on Mercedes testing program
🔹 2025: Joins Mercedes F1 as their youngest full-time driver in decades

His testing workload in previous F1 machinery has been crucial in preparing him for the elite level, but even Antonelli admits that racing against the world’s best will be a whole new challenge.

“It’s not going to be easy, because at the end of the day, I’m racing against the 19 best drivers in the world.”

“F1 can be brutal sometimes, but I’m just going to stay focused on myself, work day by day, weekend by weekend, and try to improve.”


Mercedes’ Big Gamble: Can Antonelli Handle the Pressure?

With no F1 race experience and skipping a full season of Formula 2, Antonelli’s promotion is one of the boldest driver moves Mercedes has ever made. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been unwavering in his belief that the Italian teenager is the real deal.

Mercedes will be leaning heavily on veteran reserve driver Valtteri Bottas to help Antonelli adapt, and with George Russell leading the team, the rookie will have one of the best teammates to learn from.


A Historic Rookie Class in 2025

Antonelli isn’t the only fresh face on the grid this season. 2025 will see one of the biggest rookie classes in years, with six drivers making their full-time F1 debuts:

✅ Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
✅ Liam Lawson (RB F1 Team)
✅ Oliver Bearman (Haas)
✅ Jack Doohan (Alpine)
✅ Isack Hadjar (RB F1 Team)
✅ Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

With so many young talents entering F1 at the same time, the battle for Rookie of the Year could be one of the most exciting storylines of the season.


The Big Question: Can Antonelli Live Up to the Hype?

Replacing a seven-time world champion is an impossible expectation for any rookie, but Antonelli is staying grounded and determined to focus on his own journey.

His raw talent is undeniable, but will he be able to handle the high-pressure world of Mercedes F1?

One thing is certain—the entire motorsport world will be watching when Antonelli makes his debut in Melbourne.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Lawrence Stroll’s Patience Battle: Can Aston Martin F1 Conquer the Racing World?
Motorsports

Lawrence Stroll’s Patience Battle: Can Aston Martin F1 Conquer the Racing World?

Lawrence Stroll's Bold Ambitions: The Aston Martin F1 Owner's Battle with Patience In a sport where speed is everything, Aston...

by David Castro
November 4, 2025
Oscar Piastri’s Struggles: McLaren’s Bold Blueprint for F1 Greatness Unveiled!
Motorsports

Oscar Piastri’s Struggles: McLaren’s Bold Blueprint for F1 Greatness Unveiled!

Oscar Piastri's Struggles: A Turning Point for McLaren's Rising Star? In the high-octane world of Formula 1, every twist and...

by David Castro
November 4, 2025
Max Verstappen’s Epic Comeback: The Thrilling Three-Way Race for the Championship Title!
Motorsports

Max Verstappen’s Epic Comeback: The Thrilling Three-Way Race for the Championship Title!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by David Castro
November 4, 2025
Aston Martin’s Bold Quest: Unveiling a Million-Dollar Initiative to Ignite the Next F1 Mechanic Revolution!
Motorsports

Aston Martin’s Bold Quest: Unveiling a Million-Dollar Initiative to Ignite the Next F1 Mechanic Revolution!

Formula One F1 - Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands - August 29, 2025 Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso...

by Harry Stone
November 4, 2025

Recent News

Fábrica da Seat tem uma das mais modernas prensas do mundo

The Seat factory has one of the most modern presses in the world.

November 4, 2025
Lawrence Stroll’s Patience Battle: Can Aston Martin F1 Conquer the Racing World?

Lawrence Stroll’s Patience Battle: Can Aston Martin F1 Conquer the Racing World?

November 4, 2025
Oscar Piastri’s Struggles: McLaren’s Bold Blueprint for F1 Greatness Unveiled!

Oscar Piastri’s Struggles: McLaren’s Bold Blueprint for F1 Greatness Unveiled!

November 4, 2025
Max Verstappen’s Epic Comeback: The Thrilling Three-Way Race for the Championship Title!

Max Verstappen’s Epic Comeback: The Thrilling Three-Way Race for the Championship Title!

November 4, 2025

Newsletter

ADVERTISEMENT

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.