Kimi Antonelli thanks “extremely kind” Lewis Hamilton for support ahead of F1 debut
“I mean, he’s such a great figure in the sport. He has achieved s𒉰o 💫much. So I’m really happy for the opportunity I’m getting.”
168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Andrea Kimi Antonelli revealed how supportive 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton was after Mercedes chose him as the seven-time world champion’s successor for the 2025 F1 season.
Following Hamilton’s shock decision to join Ferrari for next year, Merced💟es were left with a numbཧer of options.
After flirting with the idea of signing 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen and overlooking 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Carlos Sainz, Antonelli was given the call-up by Toto Wolff to race alongside 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell in 2025.
Antonelli has just one season of Formula 2 under his belt, havi♔ng skipped Formula 3 entirely.
At 18, Antonelli is the youngest driver on the grid as he prepares for his F1 debut at next month’s A🍨ustralian Grand Prix.
Speaking at the Autosport Awards to TikTok creator Lissie Mackintosh, Antonelli opened up about Hamꦺilton’s role🅰 in helping him prepare for his maiden campaign.
“He’s been really,🌳 really nice to me,” Antonelli said. You know, he’s been just telling me, to enjoy and of course, to do my best and not worry abou🐽t the rest.
“Also, apparently he wr💖ote a nice message in the t✤ruck, of Mercedes truck, in the driver room.
“So I’m really looking forward to read it. And I think it was extr🍌emely kind from him. And I still, to be honest, can’t believe I’m going to be sharing the gri🎃d with him next year.”
“I mean, he’s such a great figure in the sport. He has achi🐟eved so much. So I’m really happy for the opportunity I’m getting.”
Can Mercedes challenge for F1 title in 2025?
Mercedes have been incredibly inconsistent꧅ si🎶nce the introduction of the ground effect regulations in 2022.
Their 2022 campaign was plagued by the porpoising - bouncing - phenomenon, howꦏever, a win in Brazil at the end of the season set the🦄m on the wrong path.
2023 was their first winless season in over a decade, b꧟ut they beat Ferrari to second in the constructors’ championship.
Last year was their most successfꦏul in terms of race wins - they took four overal🐽l - but slipped to P4 in the constructors’ championship.
Mercedes’ inconsistency was even more apparent in 2024, with🦩 cool track conditions the key to achieving strong results.
With new rules on the horizon in 2026, Mercedes could give up on this season to ensure they’re back in title contention in 12 mont🍷hs.
With a sharp eye for F1’s controversies and sto💙rylines, Connor is the heartbeat of 𒈔our unbiased reporting.
