Mercedes has made a bold and surprising move by hiring Kimi Antonelli to replace the legendary Lewis Hamilton, a decision that sees the seven-time world champion make way for one of the sport’s youngest talents. At just 19 years old, Antonelli is set to step into one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1, making him the third-youngest driver in the sport’s history.
Despite the apparent gamble, team principal Toto Wolff doesn’t view it as a risk. In fact, Wolff has expressed great confidence in Kimi Antonelli, seeing him as a potential future superstar of F1, likening him to Max Verstappen after witnessing his performances in the junior ranks. Kimi Antonelli has already signed a multi-year deal with the team, suggesting that Mercedes is prepared for a long-term commitment. While his raw potential is clear, highlighted by his crash just minutes into his FP1 debut at Monza, Toto Wolff and the team are well aware that Kimi Antonelli’s journey in F1 will be a learning curve, with mistakes and growing pains along the way. The expectation is that he will gradually adapt and only reveal his true speed as he gains experience.
Mercedes is adopting a patient approach, understanding that Antonelli’s debut in Australia will be just the beginning of a longer-term development. The team is focused on nurturing his talent with the belief that he can deliver multiple world championships in the future. Should things not go as planned and Antonelli’s star fail to rise as expected, Mercedes has a strong backup strategy in place. As one of the most desirable teams in the sport, they continue to keep an eye on Max Verstappen, should he decide to leave Red Bull.
Rob Smedley, a former Ferrari engineer who worked alongside Michael Schumacher and supported Felipe Massa, recently shared his insights on Antonelli. Now leading the Smedley Group, which specializes in using data analysis to assess talent, Rob Smedley has been closely studying Kimi Antonelli’s performance. He was particularly impressed with the young driver’s consistency and the significant progress he has made compared to his peers.
Although Antonelli’s 2023 Formula 2 season may not have fully met expectations—currently ranking sixth in the championship with three podiums—he has outperformed his teammate Oliver Bearman, who will join Haas in 2025, amassing over double the points (116 to 50). Despite the slower-than-expected start in F2, Antonelli’s potential remains undeniable, and Mercedes is betting on his future in Formula 1.
“Certainly Kimi, up until this year in Formula 2, all of his markers were so consistent,” Rob Smedley explained – “All of the insights that you could draw from what he’d done in his junior career, he was way ahead of the curve on most of them. I guess that’s the bet they’ve taken with him.”
At the start of 2024, many Formula 1 fans may not have been familiar with Kimi Antonelli, but fast forward a year, and he will be occupying one of the most prestigious seats on the grid. The young talent is set to replace the legendary Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, a move that comes with immense pressure. Although Lewis Hamilton has been mentoring Kimi Antonelli throughout the winter months to help ease the transition, the seven-time world champion may also need to prepare his successor for the spotlight and the challenges that come with being thrust into the limelight.
Hamilton is one of the few drivers who knows what it’s like to join a top-tier team, having done so as a rookie with McLaren. His advice will undoubtedly prove invaluable as Kimi Antonelli steps into the public eye. This was made clear during Antonelli’s very first press conference, where the young driver visibly blushed with embarrassment as he answered questions. It was a telling moment that highlighted just how much he still has to learn when it comes to handling the media and the intense scrutiny that comes with being a Formula 1 driver.
As Kimi Antonelli gears up for his full-time role in F1 next season, he will need to quickly adapt and develop the confidence to present himself well in front of the cameras. His on-track performance will always be his primary focus, but navigating the off-track challenges is just as important. From press conferences to public appearances, Antonelli will need to grow into his new role as both a driver and a figurehead of one of the sport’s most iconic teams. The transition from promising talent to fully-fledged F1 star is never easy, but with the right guidance and preparation, Antonelli could rise to the occasion.
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