Kimi Antonelli has been a standout performer for Mercedes in 2025 thus far. In many ways, he has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the Italian ahead of his rookie season, as well as enormous pressure. After all, he would be replacing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton as an 18-year-old fresh out of F2.
Antonelli is not thinking about Hamilton this season as he sees himself simply as Mercedes’ new driver. This approach is working wonders as the teenager is already producing some incredible drives.
On his F1 debut in Melbourne, the Italian finished an impressive P4 after qualifying 16th. In Shanghai, he came home to finish sixth, but it could have been even better had Antonelli not suffered floor damage in both races.
At the Japanese Grand Prix, the 18-year-old finished P6 again as the top 10 saw just one change from their qualifying order. Nevertheless, it was another solid display from Antonelli – one that left Jaime Alguersuari bemused.
Jaime Alguersuari says it does not ‘add up’ that Kimi Antonelli’s race pace was ‘very similar’ to George Russell
The Italian secured the fastest lap of the race at Suzuka, although he will not receive an additional point for his efforts. After the pit stops, he was leading the race, seeing Antonelli break Max Verstappen’s record as the youngest leader of a Grand Prix.
Not many people would have expected Antonelli to be so close to teammate George Russell, including Alguersuari, who felt the data from Japan did not ‘add up.’ Speaking on The After Lap Podcast, the Spaniard says the rookie has been doing ‘incredibly better’ than he anticipated.
“We have talked about the case of Red Bull with Tsunoda, we have talked about McLaren, but we have not talked about a case that I think should be applauded,” he said.
“That I think is doing incredibly better than I thought, much better than I thought. I had said in this first programme of After Lap that he was going to suffer.
“The first races, he was going to have a bad time, that it was not going to be easy for him. Antonelli, wow. Wow. There is something that does not add up!
“The pace was very similar [to Russell]. The race pace was very similar, that’s what impressed me. Very solid in general to stop as if he knew the circuit, as if he had been in Formula 1 for several years.”
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Can Kimi Antonelli keep up his strong start to 2025?
Antonelli’s performances in the first three races have proved how special of a talent he is. At just 18, he is already outperforming veterans of the sport.
Antonelli’s tyre management outshone Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka as he maintained a strong pace on the hard tyre before pitting.
Mercedes staff are excited by Antonelli and what they have seen from the teenager so far. His maturity has been hugely impressive and it is not hard to see why the Brackley-based outfit rate him so highly.
Antonelli is looking to replicate Ayrton Senna and his achievements in F1. It may be early days, but the Italian’s potential is certainly there for all to see.
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