Lewis Hamilton sends classy message to Kimi Antonelli after first F1 pole at Miami Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has congratulated his former Mercedes colleague Kimi Antonelli on a historic Sprint pole at the Miami Grand Prix. Antonelli sprung perhaps the biggest surprise of the season so far in Florida.

Mercedes have occasionally been the nearest challengers to McLaren but have rarely looked fast enough to achieve top honours. And even if they were, George Russell seemed best-placed to capitalise after beating Antonelli in every meaningful session.

But as the Silver Arrows came alive at the Miami Autodrome, Antonelli produced a dazzling lap to beat Oscar Piastri by half a tenth. Russell was two-tenths and four places behind.

The Italian becomes the youngest pole-sitter in any F1 format, beating Sebastian Vettel’s record. Hamilton’s replacement has enjoyed his breakthrough moment after an impressive start.

Hamilton left an emotional message to Antonelli on the walls of Mercedes’ driver rooms before he left for Ferrari. He helped to mentor the teenager before his exit and has spoken highly of him in the media.

Lewis Hamilton salutes ‘amazing’ Kimi Antonelli after Miami Grand Prix Sprint pole

Hamilton sounded frustrating during qualifying as he ended up P7. With Leclerc sixth, it seems Ferrari may not have the pace this weekend, barring a turnaround before the Grand Prix.

Still, the seven-time world champion paid tribute to his successor in a classy Instagram story.

“Amazing lap @kimi.antonelli,” he wrote. “So happy for you guys @mercedesamgf1.”

Hamilton’s former engineer Peter Bonnington was in disbelief as he confirmed Antonelli’s pole over the radio. Having worked with the sport’s most successful driver, he now has a chance to mould a rising superstar.

Back in 2007, a rookie Hamilton also achieved his first pole at the sixth round of the season (the Canadian GP). He went on to convert it to a maiden victory.

Lewis Hamilton’s pre-season prediction about Kimi Antonelli has been proven wrong

Mercedes hyped up Antonelli for months before he arrived, as did those who had worked with him in the junior categories. But there was still an underlying skepticism.

He crashed heavily on his FP1 debut at the Italian GP last year, and while his F2 campaign was reasonably good, he didn’t come close to challenging Gabriel Bortoleto or Isack Hadjar in P6.

However, Antonelli completed 9,000km in private testing, ensuring he was as prepared as possible. This is his first visit to Miami, but his simulator work clearly paid off.

Speaking alongside the 18-year-old in the Australian GP press conference, Hamilton suggested Antonelli would need time to show his potential, like most rookies. But as it turns out, he hardly needed any time at all.