Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari under scrutiny as Toto Wolff speaks out about the struggles the seven-time world champion is facing in his new team. The Mercedes team principal emphasized the need for patience as Hamilton adjusts to his new surroundings, hinting that comparisons with his replacement at Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, are unfair at this stage.
Having dominated the F1 scene with Mercedes, Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has not been as seamless as many had predicted. With only three podium finishes for Ferrari so far in 2025, all courtesy of Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Sprint win in China stands out as one of his few highlights. Wolff, however, remains optimistic about Hamilton’s potential, citing his strong performance in China as evidence of what the British driver is capable of achieving.
On the other hand, Antonelli, the 18-year-old rookie tasked with filling Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes, has shown promise with 48 points across his first nine race weekends. Despite being in a respectable P7 in the Drivers’ standings, Wolff believes it is unfair to draw comparisons between Antonelli and Hamilton at this early stage of their respective careers.
As Antonelli navigates the challenges of his debut season in F1, Wolff commends the young driver’s progress and growth throughout the races. While Antonelli has faced setbacks in recent rounds, including retirements at Imola and Barcelona, Wolff remains confident in the Italian driver’s abilities to bounce back and continue improving.
Looking ahead to the upcoming races, Antonelli is focused on regrouping and harnessing his full potential on the track. With the Canadian Grand Prix presenting a new set of challenges, Antonelli is determined to learn from past experiences and deliver stronger performances in the races to come.
In a sport where every millisecond counts, both Hamilton and Antonelli are navigating their own paths to success amidst high expectations and intense scrutiny. As the F1 season unfolds, all eyes are on these two drivers as they strive to make their mark in the world of motorsport.