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 jot down his personal story in Formulation 1.

After the seven-time world champion determined he would be a 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 considered by Mercedes as a worthy substitute for Hamilton – although it was not anticipated his providers can 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 stated 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 an enormous accountability as a result of it’s clearly a high crew, however on the identical time it’s an important alternative, it’s a privilege to be the place I’m as we speak. I’m simply making an attempt to make the very best out of this chance.”

Antonelli will grow to be F1’s third-youngest driver ever when he takes half within the season-opening 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 Formulation 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 feel final season was a extremely, actually good lesson,” Antonelli contemplated, having completed sixth within the standings. “You already know, it’s when the wrestle comes that you simply grow to be stronger and also you truly learn to overcome the wrestle.

“I feel it was actually good studying final season, and undoubtedly this yr I’m going through one other huge step. Most likely there are going to be some struggles to face, and I really feel extra ready within the case of getting to face them.”

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

“What I’m actually going to do is attempt to concentrate on the method, attempt to take pleasure in as nicely,” stated Antonelli. “Undoubtedly, one thing I actually wish to do is beginning with an excellent rhythm, making an attempt to construct from it and making an attempt to be constant.

“After all, the mindset is all the time going to be the identical: making an attempt to go on observe and win, and do the very best outcomes potential. However it’s important to be life like on the identical time, as a result of the extent is tremendous aggressive.”

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photograph by: Getty Photos

In the meantime, new crew 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 a brilliant quick driver, tremendous motivated,” the three-time grand prix winner stated. “Naturally, for any driver of their first yr, loads to study, however I’m positive it’s going to be an excellent season collectively.”

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

“You’ve acquired a lot confidence in your self,” he defined. “Once I look again to myself once I was Kimi’s age, I don’t suppose you’re any slower, you simply acquire expertise over time, you understand how to take care of the journey of Formulation 1, work for two,000 individuals.

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

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