Kimi Antonelli Makes Key Discovery About Lewis Hamilton Ahead of Mercedes Move.
In a significant development for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, junior driver Kimi Antonelli has uncovered a crucial similarity between his driving style and that of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The 18-year-old Italian, set to replace Hamilton in the 2025 Formula 1 season, recently shared insights into his upcoming challenge, highlighting this discovery as a potential advantage for his transition into Hamilton’s seat.
Antonelli, who has been a rising star within the Mercedes driver academy, is preparing to make his Formula 1 debut next season. The young talent was recently confirmed as the successor to Hamilton, who will depart Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. While filling the shoes of one of the sport’s most successful drivers is no small feat, Antonelli is confident that the similarities he has found between his driving style and Hamilton’s will ease the adjustment process.
During an extensive interview with *Sky Sport Italy* at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, Antonelli spoke candidly about the upcoming challenge and the role Hamilton has played in his development. The Italian praised Hamilton’s guidance, revealing that the veteran driver has been actively sharing insights with him, which has been invaluable in preparing for the step up to Formula 1.
“Lewis talks to me a lot,” Antonelli said during the interview. “We’ve had many conversations, and I’ve learned a lot from him. One thing that’s really encouraging is that our driving styles are quite similar, which is something I’ve noticed in the data. This could make the transition smoother than expected.”
This discovery is likely to be of significant benefit to Mercedes, as it may mean the team won’t need to make drastic changes to the car setup between Hamilton and Antonelli. The team has heavily relied on Hamilton’s feedback for years to fine-tune their car’s performance, and Antonelli’s ability to adapt to similar settings could help maintain continuity within the team.
As Antonelli steps into one of the most high-profile seats in Formula 1, expectations will be immense. However, with Hamilton’s mentorship and this newfound alignment in their driving styles, the Italian rookie may find himself well-prepared to take on the challenge. With the team’s backing and his rapid rise through the ranks, Antonelli’s debut season with Mercedes is already one of the most anticipated storylines of the 2025 F1 season.
