Mercedes believes Lewis Hamilton's vocal support for Kimi Antonelli is "entirely within character" as it revealed a fresh plan to aid the latter's tricky rookie season.
Why it matters
Lewis Hamilton's public and private support for Kimi Antonelli, his chosen successor, highlights a crucial mentorship dynamic within Mercedes as Antonelli navigates the intense pressure of a top F1 team.
The big picture
Antonelli's F2 season has seen mixed results, with impressive early performances followed by a dip. This downturn has coincided with a noticeable reduction in the Mercedes W16's performance. Throughout these peaks and troughs, Hamilton, despite his own struggles, has consistently defended Antonelli, publicly stating his belief in the young driver's talent.
The details
- Bradley Lord, Mercedes Communications Director, affirmed that Hamilton's support is "entirely within character," drawing parallels to Hamilton's own rookie experience in 2007, where he faced immense expectations joining a top team.
- Hamilton offered advice and encouragement to Antonelli even during the difficult latter part of his own 2024 season with Mercedes.
- The W16's recent performance drop has negatively impacted both drivers' confidence, making it harder to commit fully in corners, which has particularly affected Antonelli's qualifying results and overall pace.
Mercedes' plan for Antonelli
- The team is focusing on encouraging Antonelli to extract valuable learnings from his experiences, rather than solely fixating on immediate "outcomes" or results.
- A key priority is to provide Antonelli with a car that is confident and predictable, enabling him to fully express the talent Mercedes knows he possesses and realize his potential.
- Team principal Toto Wolff and Mercedes have taken responsibility for the W16's performance issues, acknowledging the immense challenge for any driver, especially a rookie, joining Formula 1 with such high expectations.
What's next
Mercedes aims to find a better direction for the W16 as the season progresses, hoping to provide Antonelli with the optimal conditions to deliver and reach his full potential.