It won’t be long until the pressure begins to mount on Andrea Kimi Antonelli as he undertakes one of the most difficult challenges in Formula 1.
After 12 seasons, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have brought to an end F1’s most successful partnership.
Team principal Toto Wolff had plenty of drivers to choose from to try and replace the seven-time world champion.
Mercedes were linked with Carlos Sainz and could have called on the likes of Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon who still have connections to Wolff through their contracts.
Instead, Mercedes have trusted their junior programme and decided to promote Kimi Antonelli.
The 18-year-old made his public debut at Monza and after two dramatic laps caught fans’ attention with his raw speed and by finding the barriers at the Parabolica.
He took part in another FP1 session in Mexico City before illness ruled Antonelli out of part of F1’s post-season test.
A report from Formula Passion has now shared the demands already being placed on Antonelli away from Formula 1.
He’s already been asked to do things that Hamilton and new teammate George Russell haven’t had to undertake.
Kimi Antonelli doing Mercedes press events that Lewis Hamilton was never asked to do
Hamilton’s sponsorship demands prevented an early Ferrari exit, but it’s a rare occurrence that the 39-year-old was asked to do any marketing for the Silver Arrows away from the track.
The report from Formula Passion says Antonelli ‘by necessary’ is now doing things Hamilton and Russell ‘have never done’.
One of these things includes helping Mercedes with ‘strategic operations’, in this case, helping market their new CLA model.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Antonelli was asked to drive a special camouflage version of the CLA to the Alps, which generated enough electricity to power the lights on a Christmas tree.
It’s said that Antonelli already has plenty of other marketing campaigns planned with Mercedes which comes with the territory of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
It’s said that these engagements are of ‘huge added value’ to Mercedes given that drivers like Hamilton rarely have the opportunity to take part in such events.
How Kimi Antonelli’s F2 campaign compared to his rivals ahead of Mercedes debut
Antonelli is one of four drivers making the step up from Formula 2 in 2025, with Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson entering their first full F1 campaigns after previously racing in the series.
Although Antonelli will likely be under the most pressure to immediately challenge for points, his record in Formula 2 in 2024 wasn’t the strongest.
Prema struggled compared to previous campaigns, although Antonelli still managed to get the better of teammate Oliver Bearman.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
Neither driver was competing for the title, with all three contenders entering the F1 paddock in 2025.
Paul Aron finished third and will become Alpine’s reserve driver, acting as back-up for Jack Doohan.
| Rank | Driver | Wins | Points | New Team |
| 1 | Gabriel Bortoleto | 2 | 214.5 | Sauber |
| 2 | Isack Hadjar | 4 | 192 | Racing Bulls |
| 6 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | 2 | 113 | Mercedes |
| 12 | Oliver Bearman | 3 | 75 | Haas |
Isack Hadjar discovered he would be the 20th and final driver on the grid next season after benefitting from Sergio Perez being dropped by Red Bull.
New Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto won the series but will have his work cut out to regularly feature in the top 10 given the team’s current trajectory.
Antonelli is extremely highly rated by Mercedes and Wolff wouldn’t have promoted him so early in his career if he wasn’t confident he could not only cope with the pressure of replacing Hamilton but also contribute to the team’s Constructors’ Championship effort.
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