Lewis Hamilton has credited Mercedes for its ‘approach’ with Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the Italian sits on the cusp of a historic Formula 1 title at the United States Grand Prix.
Antonelli comes into the race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas on the verge of becoming the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a sensational sophomore year with the German marque, winning eight Grands Prix so far.
Looking at Antonelli at his former team, Hamilton believes much of the credit goes to the leadership at Mercedes, with Toto Wolff creating an environment where Antonelli could fully extract his potential.
“Definitely, great leadership,” he told Motorsport Week when asked if Wolff’s involvement was key to Antonelli’s 2026 successes.
“Toto is exceptional at what he does and the environment he creates and the people he puts around him.
“I also had a similar sort of experience when I got to Mercedes, and the same at McLaren. I know that was a question people were asking, whether or not I would be able to deliver, especially alongside a double World Champion.”
Lewis Hamilton finds “similarities” with Kimi Antonelli’s F1 title approach
Hamilton, who won six drivers’ titles with Mercedes between 2013 and 2024, is no stranger to explosive sophomore seasons.
The Ferrari driver won his maiden F1 title at the age of 23, driving for McLaren in 2008.
Hamilton believes Antonelli has the perfect group of people around him who have helped the 20-year-old to complete the title “puzzle”.
The Briton likened this to his own formative years in the sport as he spotted a few similarities with how Antonelli has been able to develop his craft out on track.
“I see similarities between how my first year and first couple of years went and how Kimi has approached this year,” Hamilton added.
“But it’s not something just one individual randomly does.
“You also have to have those pieces of the puzzle around you, supporting you.
“I was very lucky to have that at McLaren, and it’s great that he has it there.”
Antonelli could walk away from Austin as the 2026 F1 World Champion if he wins the US GP, with his teammate George Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton taking the chequered flag in no position higher than fifth.
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