Buxton: Antonelli Reminds Me of Young Hamilton and Vettel

In his second F1 season, Kimi Antonelli has taken the paddock by storm, leading the championship by 43 points after four consecutive wins. Former F1 TV presenter Will Buxton likens the 19-year-old to a young Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, noting the raw, high-risk style that defined their early careers.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's meteoric rise has already sparked internal tension at Mercedes, as seen in the Canadian Grand Prix where he battled teammate George Russell. Buxton's comparison underscores the rare blend of talent and emotion that could define a future champion, but also raises questions about team dynamics and how Mercedes handles two competitive drivers.

The details:

• After five rounds, Antonelli leads the standings with wins in China, Japan, Miami, and Canada — the first driver to win his first four races of a season consecutively.
• On the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton compared Antonelli's approach to Hamilton's 2008 title fight and Vettel's early days: "They've got all this talent... it was that rawness to their racecraft that was an absolute joy to watch."
• The Canadian GP featured heated radio exchanges between Antonelli and Russell after a sprint race incident. Buxton defended driver emotions, noting that team principal Toto Wolff is "actually enjoying watching them race" despite calling for calm behind closed doors.

The big picture:

The emergence of a young star challenging an established teammate echoes F1 history. If Antonelli can maintain this form, he could reshape the championship battle and Mercedes' internal hierarchy. However, managing the emotional intensity — both on and off the radio — will be key to sustaining success and avoiding the friction that has derailed other promising pairings.