Antonelli: ‘I’m here to write my own story, not replace Hamilton’

New Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has insisted he doesn’t view himself as filling in for Lewis Hamilton and he’s eager to put in writing his personal story in Components 1.

After the seven-time world champion determined he would be part of Ferrari on the completion of his twelfth season at Mercedes, the squad evaluated its choices for 2025 and eventually opted for its Italian protege, despite the latter’s inexperience.

Antonelli has lengthy been seen by Mercedes as a worthy substitute for Hamilton – although it was not anticipated his providers could be required so quickly – after he took back-to-back titles within the European karting championship, then gained no fewer than 4 championships in his first two years in single-seaters, earlier than his transfer to F2.

“I don’t discover it proper to say I’m his substitute,” Antonelli mentioned about Hamilton. “He has executed a lot within the sport, and I simply really feel like the subsequent Mercedes driver, and I actually wish to make my very own story.

“Undoubtedly, racing for Mercedes is a giant duty as a result of it’s clearly a high group, however on the similar time it’s an excellent alternative, it’s a privilege to be the place I’m at the moment. I’m simply attempting to make one of the best out of this chance.”

Antonelli will develop into F1’s third-youngest driver ever when he takes half within the Australian Grand Prix aged 18 years and 6 months, with solely Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll having made earlier debuts.

Having made a daring bounce from Components Regional to F2 in 2024 – which was determined lengthy earlier than Mercedes turned conscious of Hamilton’s impending departure – Antonelli considerably struggled in F1’s feeder sequence however nonetheless managed two wins whereas outqualifying and outscoring highly-rated team-mate Oliver Bearman.

“I believe final season was a extremely, actually good lesson,” Antonelli contemplated. “You recognize, it’s when the battle comes that you just develop into stronger and also you truly discover ways to overcome the battle.

“I believe it was actually good studying final season, and positively this yr I’m going through one other massive step. In all probability there are going to be some struggles to face, and I really feel extra ready within the case of getting to face them.”

The teenager is life like about his 2025 prospects, explaining he doesn’t have “quite a lot of expectations” regardless of arguably being the primary driver to make his debut in an precise high group since 2007 – again when Hamilton took F1 by storm as McLaren’s rookie.

“What I’m actually going to do is attempt to give attention to the method, attempt to take pleasure in as nicely,” mentioned Antonelli. “Undoubtedly, one thing I actually wish to do is beginning with rhythm, attempting to construct from it and attempting to be constant.

“In fact, the mindset is all the time going to be the identical: attempting to go on monitor and win, and do one of the best outcomes doable. However it’s a must to be life like on the similar time, as a result of the extent is tremendous aggressive.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

In the meantime, new group chief George Russell has tipped Antonelli to match his tempo right away, whereas acknowledging his incoming team-mate will nonetheless have a steep studying curve.

“Kimi is an excellent quick driver, tremendous motivated,” the three-time grand prix winner mentioned. “Naturally, for any driver of their first yr, so much to be taught, however I’m certain it’s going to be season collectively.”

Having made his personal debut in 2019, Russell is aware of what Antonelli’s state of affairs looks like, to some extent.

“You’ve obtained a lot confidence in your self,” he defined. “After I look again to myself once I was Kimi’s age, I don’t assume you’re any slower, you simply acquire expertise over time, you understand how to cope with the journey of Components 1, work for two,000 folks.

“However in case you’ve obtained the pace, you’ve obtained it – and in case you don’t, you don’t. It’s virtually so simple as that.

“I’m certain Kimi goes to maintain me on my toes and we’ll be pushing one another.”