Bumped into Lewis Hamilton’s seat, Kimi Antonelli rises to conquer F1

In 2018, Kimi Antonelli was an eight-year-old boy on the grid at the Italian Grand Prix. He was assigned to Lewis Hamilton, one of the drivers he most admired. Before the race, the young man managed to attract the attention of the Mercedes driver.

“Remember you’re the best, you can win it,” Antonelli recalled of Hamilton.

Hamilton’s heir. #F1 Formula 1 (@F1) 31 August 2024

Hamilton won the afternoon. Eight years later, Antonelli found himself in the same place his childhood hero left behind. There was one major difference. He was no longer there to cheer Hamilton on. He was now the man expected to carry Mercedes forward.

at 20 Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. His title triumph in Mexico City came in just his second season and capped off a journey that began with huge expectations and plenty of skepticism.

DECISION IN FIVE MINUTES

Antonelli did not have the gradual introduction to Formula 1 that many young drivers enjoy. At a junior team like the Racing Bulls, there was no season where he could learn the demands of the sport away from the spotlight.

Mercedes immediately included him in their senior team. His team-mate was George Russell, a recognized race winner, while the seat itself was associated with the burden of replacing Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion won six drivers’ titles with Mercedes between 2013 and 2024. Filling the boots was never easy, especially for an 18-year-old making his debut.

However, Toto Wolff did not need much time to decide who should take over.

When Hamilton informed him that he would leave Mercedes for FerrariThe team director made a decision within five minutes. Toto Wolff decided within five minutes that Lewis Hamilton would be replaced by Kimi Antonelli. (Image: Reuters)

“I made the decision five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was going to Ferrari,” Wolff revealed in an interview with Formula1.com.

Mercedes considered other options, including Max Verstappen, but Wolff believed in the young driver the team had been developing since 2018.

“We were convinced of his talent before. It was a question of maturity. Now we are ready to take a risk in terms of maturity, in terms of the pressure of F1,” Wolff said.

It was a bold call. Not everyone agreed.

A clear successor that certainly succeeded! #F1 #MexicoGP Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026

Former team owner Eddie Jordan questioned whether Antonelli had earned the right to drive for Mercedes. Jacques Villeneuve felt that the promotion came too soon. Others wondered if the teenager was ready to handle the scrutiny that came with replacing the seven-time champion.

TALENT WAS NEVER A QUESTION

Mercedes’ faith in Antonelli was not unfounded. Before moving to single-seaters in 2021, he was top in go-karts. The Italian and German Formula 4 titles followed, as well as the Formula Regional championship.

His progress was so impressive that Mercedes moved him straight into Formula 2, bypassing Formula 3. Charles Leclerc, who had followed his development closely, was among those who did.

“Looking at Kimi coming through the junior ranks, I think it was clear to everyone that he has something very special,” said Leclerc.

The talent was there. Handling the attention was another matter.

Antonelli made his first F1 race weekend appearance at Monza in 2024. In practice for Mercedes, he crashed heavily in front of his home crowd. The team did not lose faith and shortly after confirmed him as Hamilton’s replacement.

His rookie season in 2025 offered glimpses of what he could become. He became the youngest driver to win the Sprint field at Miami and earned three podium finishes. However, consistency has proven to be harder to find.

Rewriting history We have a new youngest champion in rider history. Take a bow, Kimi Antonelli #F1 #MexicoGP Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026

Mistakes and a difficult run through European races prompted Wolff to describe some of his performances as underwhelming. Antonelli finished seventh in the championship with 150 points, less than half of Russell’s total.

It was a difficult adjustment for someone who spent years tipping for size.

“I let the pressure get to me during that period because I felt like I let down so many people who believed in me,” Antonelli admitted.

It was an honest assessment. He spent most of his young career being told how good he could become. Now he was finding out how difficult it was to live up to those expectations.

MAKING YOUR OWN HISTORY

The winter break gave Antonelli time to reset. When the 2026 season began, questions remained as to whether he could match up to Russell for a full campaign.

A severe practice crash in Australia offered little reassurance. He finished second to his teammate in the opening race, but the following weekend changed everything.

In the Chinese Grand Prix, Antonelli overtook Hamilton at the start and pulled away from the seven-time champion. Russell and Charles Leclerc were left to battle for second place as the Italian took control at the front.

As he crossed the finish line, Antonelli tried to suppress his emotions. He became the second youngest race winner in F1 history.

This victory was the start of a remarkable season. He won nine Grands Prix, established himself as the championship favorite and came through when the pressure was on.

His home race at Monza produced another memorable moment. Antonelli started from 19th after an engine penalty and fought his way through the field to claim victory in front of the Italian crowd.

Once he started winning, there was no stopping him… He did it! #F1 #MexicoGP Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026

By the time Formula 1 arrived in Mexico City, the teenager whose promotion had once been questioned was within striking distance of the title. A third place finish was all it took to close out and he became the youngest world champion the sport has ever seen.

There will always be comparisons to Hamilton, Verstappen and other champions who came before him. That’s part of the territory when a driver arrives at a Mercedes with so much expectation attached to their name.

But Antonelli no longer needs to live in someone’s shadow. Eight years ago he stood on the Monza grid and told Hamilton he was the best. Now he reached the top alone.

– The end