Ready for his F1 debut, Andrea Kimi Antonelli wants to follow in the footsteps of the driver he believes is the best ever. The young Bolognese will begin his first season with Mercedes, taking the place of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The pressure will be immense, matching the high expectations everyone in Brackley seems to have for him.
2025 will be the year of the rookies, as we have often said. A major generational shift is bringing six young talents into the Circus, all eager to prove themselves on the world’s biggest motorsport stage. Among them, two in particular will have competitive cars at their disposal: Liam Lawson, making his full-season debut with Red Bull, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes.
Both have much to prove. The New Zealander will have to hold his own against Max Verstappen, at the very least avoiding the fate of (almost) all his predecessors who struggled at Red Bull. The Italian prodigy at Mercedes, meanwhile, has already been dubbed the “new Verstappen.” In short, the Dutchman remains a reference point for two young drivers chasing a thrilling dream.
Kimi Antonelli: “The Greatest of All Time? Ayrton Senna, Without a Doubt”
But while some compare him to the four-time world champion from Hasselt, Andrea Kimi Antonelli looks up to Ayrton Senna: “For me, he’s the greatest of all time,” he revealed at the Autosport Awards. “I mean, unfortunately, I never got to see him race, but watching his performances in videos and DVDs has been incredible.”
“Not just as a driver—[Senna] was also an amazing person. He has been my inspiration since I was a child and still is. I hope I can achieve even a small part of what he accomplished in his career.”
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