Lewis Hamilton is not surprised to see Andrea Kimi Antonelli on top in F1, praising Toto Wolff for the find, as others chip in.
Mercedes’ Antonelli is on the brink of securing his first F1 drivers’ title in only his second season. He has the chance to do it during this weekend’s US GP at the Circuit of the Americas; if not, then he could do it next weekend in Mexico.
Antonelli was drafted to the F1 seat by Mercedes after the departure of Hamilton to Ferrari. The first year for the Italian was not as smooth, but that didn’t deter the German team from keeping faith in the youngster’s ability to deliver.
Hamilton Knew Antonelli Would Come Good
It has paid dividends already in his second season. Hamilton is not surprised at all by how Antonelli has soaked up the pressure and delivered on track. “I mean, when I was there, I knew who was going to be replacing me,” he said to the media in the press conference ahead of the F1 US GP weekend.
“Kimi was around the team, following us a lot, particularly in the last year that I was there. And I think it was the right decision to create an opportunity for a young and up-and-coming driver. Kimi had shown his abilities in the lower categories and his enthusiasm, his charm and his good approach to everything.
“He always fit really well into the environment. Getting to work alongside Bono is such an amazing experience. But they’ve got so many great people in that team, and that’s the reason why they are where they are. I honestly have such admiration for what they do.
“And to see them back at the top is no surprise to me because I got to experience it for many, many years there. I think in his first year, it’s tough for anybody going into a seat like that, into a team like that, and getting up and running with all the expectations on your shoulders, the things you have, the commitment you have, all those sorts of things.
Hamilton Knows Wolff Would Be Best For Antonelli
“But I think he’s really taken it in his stride. It’s been really great to see his performances this year. It’s massively impressive, and he deserves to be the champion. [There’s] definitely great leadership. Toto is exceptional at what he does, and at the environment he creates and the people he puts around him.
“I also had a similar sort of experience when I got to Mercedes, and the same at McLaren. I know that was a question people were asking: whether or not I would be able to deliver, especially alongside a double world champion. And I see similarities between how my first year and first couple of years went and how Kimi has approached this year.
“But it’s not something just one individual randomly does. You also have to have those pieces of the puzzle around you, supporting you. I was very lucky to have that at McLaren, and it’s great that he has it there,” summed up Hamilton, who jokingly advised Antonelli to “slow down”, before sharing praise.
Antonelli Needs No Advice from Hamilton
“He doesn’t need any advice,” continued Hamilton. “I think he’s shown this year, and also last year, but particularly this year, his talent and his ability, his calmness and his approach. He’s done an amazing job this year, and I’m so proud of him.
“I’m so proud of the way he’s carried himself, how he interacts with the drivers and even with you guys. It’s great to see him and the team excel. If it’s not my team, I’d always want to see my old team do well.”
Here’s what other F1 drivers think about Antonelli’s potential crowning –
Valtteri Bottas
“It’s been amazing to follow. Obviously, last year I was following closely, in the same team, what Kimi was doing, how he was developing, how he was gaining confidence in the car, but also outside the car, with his feedback and everything. And now he’s just taking things to the next level this year.
“So, yeah, it makes me proud. A very, very nice job. And even as things get hotter, as the season goes on and the title fight gets harder, with things coming towards the end of the year, he hasn’t shown any signs of pressure or weakness. So, I think it seems like he’s in his natural position. Good to see.”
Oscar Piastri
“Yeah, I think he’s been very impressive, obviously. I think the step he took from his rookie season has been quite impressive to see. Different cars, different engines. I think he’s done a good job of adapting to the needs of these cars. So, yes, I think he’s been impressive. And I think when he wins the championship, not if, I think he’ll be a very deserving champion this year.”
Carlos Sainz
“I think for me, more than anything, is the contrast to last season, how much he struggled in his rookie season versus how great this season he has been and the way he’s managed to turn it around.
“F1, I think, is also a lot about being in the right place at the right time, and having that regulation set change and moving to cars that, for sure, adapt better to his driving, to the way he approaches a corner, to the way he drives with the throttle or the brakes, is exactly something that can change your life, can change your career, and he’s maximized that.
“And he’s been exploiting, I think, this year’s Mercedes car to the limit and done an incredible job. And I think fair play to him, because to bounce back from a challenging rookie season to put together such a solid season is something really impressive and says a lot about him.”
Isack Hadjar
“Yeah, just, I think he’s surprised everyone with the level he’s been driving at, just because of how challenging a rookie season can be. And then you turn things around, and we know how good George is and he’s been doing so well against him. So now he’s even surprised me, impressed me. So, yeah, it’s great.”
Lando Norris
“I think it’s very impressive what he’s been able to do at his age, his second year in Formula 1. He’s going to be the youngest world champion ever. It’s pretty incredible, especially because last year I wouldn’t say he had a bad first season in Formula 1. He was against George, who I think is very good. And has performed very well, especially in the last year of the car, against Lewis.
“And for him to take quite a huge step, I would say, from last year to this year in terms of optimizing things and understanding and driving this year’s car more than other people as well. Dealing with the pressure, the lack of mistakes that have come from him in both qualifying and races, the consistency to be his teammate, the way he has, is pretty, like I said, I rate George, and I think he’s a very good driver.
“But Kimi has been two levels above George the whole season. So, he’s done a pretty incredible job. And I’m sure the world knows that. I don’t need to say it. I think it’s obvious enough.”
Charles Leclerc
“It’s been near perfect. I don’t recall any, I mean, there’s been one mistake two or three races ago, but that’s probably the only one that he has done over the course of the season. Straight from the beginning, he was on pace, and he didn’t put a foot wrong. So, I think it’s a matter of time before he wins the championship, and that will be very well deserved. Yeah, not much more to add. I think he’s had a perfect season.
“I think what has surprised me is the first year to the second year, I mean, already from the very first laps with this car, we could see that he was very strong and in the first qualifying of the year, first race of the year he was very strong. And I think you could tell that these kinds of cars were just fitting him.
“Also, much better, and the hard work that he had done between the seasons paid off. So yeah, it was very clear after two or three races that he would be a big contender and that he was extremely quick from the get-go.”