Andrea Kimi Antonelli is technically the third driver to earn a permanent seat on one side of the Mercedes garage.
He’s got big shoes to fill with Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton the other two drivers to race for Mercedes in that role since the team’s modern-day debut in 2010.
While Schumacher only achieved a single podium during his three years with the Silver Arrows, he helped create the platform on which Hamilton and Mercedes built the most successful partnership in the history of the sport.
If team principal Toto Wolff gets his wish, then Kimi Antonelli will one day match the 40-year-old’s achievements with Mercedes.
That’s not going to be easy and it’ll be up to Mercedes to help manage Antonelli’s expectations.
Wolff isn’t expecting Antonelli to be immediately quick although it’s going to be difficult to stop the Italian from pushing at 100% from the start.
In fact, Antonelli is targeting victory at the Australian Grand Prix, although whether that’s realistic or not is yet to be seen.
Antonelli was speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of his Formula 1 debut and he was asked about the prospect of replacing Hamilton.
He’s now explained how he plans to deal with the pressure of being Mercedes’ latest superstar.
Kimi Antonelli explains how he will deal with the pressure of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes
Asked about his approach to his debut season with Mercedes, Antonelli said: “I am aware that I have inherited a cumbersome seat to fill, that of a seven-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton.
“He is a figure who has made the history of Formula 1, so it is not correct to compare us. I am only thinking about doing the best job possible and building my path as a Mercedes driver.
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“At the moment I don’t feel the pressure of having to live up to certain expectations placed on me. I’m fully focused, very motivated and I can’t wait for the season to finally start.”
Kimi Antonelli explains his preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season
Antonelli has done thousands of miles of testing to get ready for his Formula 1 debut, but there’s no substitute for wheel-to-wheel action.
Asked about how he feels going into 2025, Antonelli explained: “First of all I’m very happy with the opportunity I’ve had, especially to be able to make my debut straight away in a competitive team like Mercedes. I feel ready and eager to get started.”
The 18-year-old was then asked to expand on his preparations for his debut and continued: “The preparation has gone very well so far, I have worked closely with my engineer Bono [Peter Bonnington] and the whole team to be ready for the lights to go out in Australia on March 16.
“So far, the feeling is good, obviously we haven’t had the chance to try the new car yet because we will be out on track for the first time in the Bahrain tests from February 26 to 28″.
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Antonelli is one of the most hyped-up drivers to enter Formula 1 for some time, given his age, junior record and the steps he skipped to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
There are parallels between him and Hamilton, although the Brit entered F1 as a GP2 champion, while Antonelli’s sole Formula 2 campaign with Prema didn’t quite go to plan.
The seven-time world champion came within a point of winning the title during his debut season in 2007.
If Antonelli could go one better, then he would immediately place himself among the greatest drivers currently on the grid.
