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Kimi Antonelli shares the advice ‘really cool’ Lewis Hamilton has given him before F1 races

Originally posted on HITC | By Ashley Hambly | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 9:22 AM ET

Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a huge task ahead of him stepping into the Mercedes seat left by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Now 19, he’s spoken about how Hamilton, now at Ferrari, has supported him during his first year in Formula 1.

Antonelli’s rookie season in F1 has been full of ups and downs. He grabbed his first podium in Canada back in June and started from pole for the Miami Sprint, but there have also been several errors that have highlighted his lack of experience.

The readiness of the Mercedes driver has been called into question as the current season unfolded.

Tensions over Antonelli’s position within Mercedes rose earlier this term after Max Verstappen was linked with a move to the team. However, these rumours have faded since Verstappen confirmed he plans to stay with Red Bull for at least another year.

Kimi Antonelli explains why Lewis Hamilton hasn’t spoken to him directly

Hamilton and Antonelli are represented by Nicolas Todt, which has led some fans to wonder whether there is more connection between them than what is visible from the outside.

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“He never texted me directly but when I joined F1 [in] Bahrain I saw him, so I managed to speak with him,” said Antonelli.

“We spoke a little bit about driving styles and stuff. But I guess we are both quite different drivers as well so it’s difficult for us to relate driving-wise.”

Lewis Hamilton expresses his happiness for Kimi Antonelli’s progress at Mercedes

“I think he’s done an amazing job,” said Hamilton on Fox Sports Australia when speaking on how Antonelli had performed this season.

The Italian currently sits 11th in the Drivers’ Championship standings heading into next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton shares advice with Kimi Antonelli ahead of F1 races

In his effort to catch up with George Russell, who has often outperformed expectations, Antonelli has found support from the most successful driver in Mercedes’ history.

Speaking to L’Equipe, the Mercedes driver was asked if he has received any help from Hamilton and Verstappen during his maiden campaign, to which he replied, “They have been welcoming, really open with us, the rookies.

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“And, sometimes even, they give us some advice. Lewis, I always speak with him during the Drivers Parade. He is a really cool guy; I got to know him better at the end of last year when I was coming to the races with the team.

“Max is assuredly someone I look at as a model. They are drivers that I have admired since childhood.”

The seven-time world champion has previously spoken about the 2025 rookie class and expressed excitement about racing against Isack Hadjar at the Dutch GP.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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