In the ever-competitive world of Formula 1, comparisons between rising stars and established champions are inevitable. However, when one of the sport’s most exciting young talents, Kimi Antonelli, reveals that his driving style is “similar to” seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s, it’s bound to turn heads. The 17-year-old prodigy from Italy, who has been dominating the lower tiers of motorsport and is seen by many as a future F1 star, recently made waves with these comments about the British racing legend.
Antonelli, currently racing in the Formula 4 series and a Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team junior driver, has already shown immense potential in his short career. His assertion that his driving approach mirrors Hamilton’s not only highlights his self-assurance but also hints at his aspirations to join the ranks of the F1 elite in the years to come.
A Rising Star with Big Dreams
Kimi Antonelli has become one of the brightest prospects in motorsport in recent years. Born in 2006, Antonelli made his debut in competitive racing at just 10 years old and has since risen through the ranks of junior categories in Europe. His natural talent and racing pedigree quickly garnered the attention of the Mercedes F1 team, and he signed on as a junior driver in 2021.
Despite his young age, Antonelli has already made an impact in Formula 4, regularly finishing on the podium and racking up a string of race wins. His progression from karting to single-seaters has been marked by a series of strong performances that have marked him out as one of the most promising talents in motorsport.
However, it’s his most recent comments about his driving style that have caught the eye of F1 fans and pundits alike. Antonelli explained in a recent interview that after reviewing the driving styles of various F1 legends, he noticed striking similarities between his own approach to racing and that of Hamilton, one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
“Similar to Mine” – Antonelli on Hamilton’s Driving Style
While discussing the nuances of driving a Formula 1 car and what it takes to succeed at the highest level, Antonelli was asked about the drivers he admires most. Unsurprisingly, Lewis Hamilton’s name came up quickly. Known for his ability to extract the maximum performance from his car in both wet and dry conditions, as well as his aggressive yet smooth driving style, Hamilton has been one of the sport’s dominant figures for over a decade.
“I’ve always looked up to Lewis. His consistency, his focus, his ability to drive under pressure – it’s something I admire,” Antonelli said. “When I watch his races, I can see that our driving styles are actually quite similar. We both have a very fluid, smooth approach to racing. It’s about being precise, managing the car’s balance, and knowing when to push, and when to conserve. I think that’s something I’ve developed over time.”
While it’s bold for such a young driver to make comparisons to a seven-time world champion, Antonelli’s statement reveals a deep understanding of what makes Hamilton successful. In particular, he highlights two aspects of Hamilton’s driving style that many experts have long admired: his ability to control a car in challenging conditions and his knack for maintaining consistent lap times over the course of a race.
Both of these traits are key to Hamilton’s longevity in F1, where many drivers face the physical and mental challenges of racing at the highest level for an extended period of time. Antonelli’s ability to recognize and connect with these qualities suggests that he’s not only learning quickly, but that he is also thinking critically about how he can adapt his own style to match the best in the sport.
The Influence of Lewis Hamilton on Antonelli’s Career
For a driver like Kimi Antonelli, comparing his driving style to someone of Hamilton’s caliber is an ambitious move, but one that reflects the level of mentorship and inspiration the young Italian receives from the Mercedes camp. As a member of the Mercedes junior driver program, Antonelli has had the privilege of being in close contact with some of the most seasoned engineers and drivers in the sport, including Hamilton himself.
Although the two have not yet raced on track together in a competitive F1 environment, Hamilton has offered guidance and insights to Antonelli during their time together at Mercedes events. Antonelli has spoken highly of his interactions with Hamilton, citing the Briton’s experience and professionalism as key influences on his own development.
“Lewis is always willing to share his knowledge, especially when it comes to understanding the car,” Antonelli explained. “He’s helped me understand how to communicate better with the engineers, how to manage tire wear, and how to optimize performance over a race distance. It’s not just about being fast in qualifying; it’s about making the car work in every situation.”
Such insights are invaluable for a young driver looking to make his mark in the F1 world, and Antonelli appears to be soaking it all in. The fact that he is already able to draw parallels between his style and Hamilton’s at this stage in his career is a testament to both his self-awareness and his maturity as a driver.
Comparing the Future to the Past
While it’s clear that Antonelli’s driving style shares some similarities with Hamilton’s, there are key differences that could ultimately set him apart. Hamilton’s success has often been attributed to his ability to adapt his driving to different situations. Whether in challenging weather conditions, fighting for track position, or preserving tires during a long stint, Hamilton has consistently demonstrated his versatility.
For Antonelli, the journey is just beginning. While he shares similarities with Hamilton, there is no doubt that his driving style will evolve as he gains more experience in higher categories, eventually making the transition to Formula 1. The demands of an F1 car—its high levels of downforce, the complexity of the power unit, and the intensity of racing against the best in the world—will push Antonelli to refine his skills even further.
However, what is clear from Antonelli’s statement is that he already possesses the core attributes that make Hamilton such a formidable driver: a smooth, controlled driving style, an ability to read a race, and the discipline to manage tire wear and car balance. It’s these same qualities that have made Hamilton a legend, and Antonelli seems poised to follow in his footsteps.
The Road to Formula 1
As Antonelli continues his ascent through the motorsport ranks, F1 fans will undoubtedly keep an eye on his progress. The similarities between his driving style and that of Hamilton could signal the beginning of a new chapter in F1, where the torch will eventually pass from the established stars to a new generation of drivers.
With the Mercedes junior program backing Antonelli, and the young Italian’s clear ambition to emulate the greats of the sport, it is only a matter of time before he makes his mark on the world’s most prestigious racing series. Whether or not Antonelli will one day race alongside Hamilton in an F1 car remains to be seen, but for now, the comparisons between the two continue to fuel excitement about his potential.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to watching Antonelli’s progress in the coming seasons, eagerly awaiting the day when he finally takes the wheel in Formula 1—potentially alongside his idol.
