Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to take over the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in the upcoming Formula 1 season. As the 18-year-old rookie prepares to join George Russell at the iconic Silver Arrows team, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has issued a measured reminder to Mercedes: “Give him time.” The cautionary note comes after team principal Toto Wolff revealed ambitions to build a new “success story” with Antonelli, akin to their storied partnership with Hamilton.
Antonelli’s meteoric rise through the junior ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. After competing in F4, he jumped directly to F2 in 2024, demonstrating exceptional talent. However, stepping into the shoes of a seven-time world champion like Hamilton is an immense challenge. Domenicali underscored the need to allow Antonelli to grow and adapt to the complexities of Formula 1, emphasizing patience. Speaking at an Autosprint awards ceremony, Domenicali said:
“Kimi is a golden boy. He is a great talent, but we have to give him time to prove his qualities. We should not expect him to be at the front already on the first lap in Melbourne. I hope so for him, but if that does not happen, there is time to grow. His presence is important for the whole Italian movement.”
Wolff, who has overseen Antonelli’s development as part of Mercedes’ Junior Program, has high hopes for the young driver. He compared Antonelli’s career trajectory to Hamilton’s but acknowledged the added challenges of modern F1. Reflecting on the current environment, Wolff noted:
“With the current preparation, Kimi can jump into our car and be competitive. However, F1 now is a different animal than it was at the time of Hamilton’s debut. There is more pressure and social media, so I think it is important to keep everything moving in the right direction, keep the right priorities and avoid what is not essential.”
Wolff’s ultimate goal is clear: to replicate the success of Hamilton’s 12-year tenure by fostering Antonelli’s potential while getting into the complexities of contemporary Formula 1. The journey begins in just a few months, and all eyes will be on the rookie as he takes his first laps in Melbourne.
