Lewis Hamilton makes feelings clear on Kimi Antonelli replacing him at Mexican…read more
Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in Kimi Antonelli as he prepares to hand over his Mercedes car for the first free practice (FP1) session at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend. Antonelli, a promising young driver, will take the wheel for FP1, a step that will allow Mercedes to fulfill its rookie free practice obligations for the season. This opportunity comes after Antonelli’s debut at Monza, where he had a mixed experience that garnered significant attention.
Earlier this year, Antonelli’s first outing in FP1 during the Italian Grand Prix had its highs and lows. In his debut lap at Monza, the Italian teenager impressed the motorsport community by setting the fastest time among all drivers, demonstrating both potential and confidence. However, his strong start was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident during his second lap when he lost control of the car and crashed heavily at the challenging Parabolica corner. This incident temporarily raised concerns, particularly after he had been confirmed as George Russell’s teammate for the 2025 season, replacing Hamilton at Mercedes in the future.
Despite Antonelli’s rocky debut, Hamilton remains unconcerned about the upcoming FP1 session in Mexico. Speaking about his decision to allow Antonelli to take the wheel, Hamilton emphasized his faith in the young driver’s ability to learn from his previous experience. “I don’t really have any concerns,” Hamilton stated when questioned about the potential risks. “Going into Monza, we didn’t approach it as a high-stakes event, and I think Kimi is young, but he’s learned from his first outing.”
The seven-time World Champion also highlighted the importance of easing the pressure on Antonelli. He noted that they had already conducted their preparatory briefing together, including Mercedes’ long-time race engineer Pete “Bono” Bonnington, who will also be working with Antonelli next year. Hamilton emphasized that his role is to offer support and guidance rather than pressure the young driver to perform spectacularly from the start. “I spoke to him, and what’s key is he doesn’t have to set the world alight on the first lap,” Hamilton explained, indicating a focus on gradual development rather than immediate perfection.
Antonelli’s upcoming FP1 session at the Mexican Grand Prix represents a crucial learning opportunity for the young driver, as he continues his development under the watchful eyes of Mercedes. The team hopes that this experience will help Antonelli grow into a dependable future teammate for Russell, ensuring a smooth transition when Hamilton eventually steps down. Despite the Monza crash, Hamilton’s confidence suggests a belief that Antonelli has the potential to make significant strides, starting with a measured performance in Mexico.
