Kimi Antonelli: Lewis Hamilton’s Driving Style “Similar to Mine”
In the fiercely competitive realm of Formula 1, drawing comparisons between emerging talents and seasoned champions is unavoidable. However, when Kimi Antonelli—one of the sport’s most promising young drivers—shares that his driving style closely mirrors that of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, it certainly garners attention. The 17-year-old Italian prodigy has been making a mark in junior motorsport categories and is widely regarded as a potential future star in F1. His recent remarks about emulating aspects of the British racing legend have created quite a buzz.
Antonelli, who is currently competing in the Formula 4 series and serving as a junior driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, has already demonstrated remarkable potential early in his career. By claiming that his driving style emulates Hamilton’s, he not only showcases his confidence but also suggests his ambitions to ascend to F1’s elite level in the future.
Kimi Antonelli has emerged as one of the most promising talents in motorsport in recent years. Born in 2006, he began his competitive racing career at just 10 years old and gradually advanced through various junior categories across Europe. His innate skill and impressive background soon caught the eye of the Mercedes F1 team, leading to his signing as a junior driver in 2021.
Despite being young, Antonelli has already left his mark in Formula 4 by consistently securing podium finishes and accumulating numerous race victories. His transition from karting to single-seaters is highlighted by a series of impressive performances that distinguish him as one of the most promising talents in motorsport.
His latest remarks about his driving style have captured the attention of both F1 fans and commentators. In a recent interview, Antonelli mentioned that after studying the driving techniques of several F1 legends, he observed remarkable resemblances between his own racing approach and that of Hamilton, one of the sport’s all-time greats.
During a conversation about the intricacies of driving a Formula 1 car and what it takes to excel at the highest level, Antonelli was asked which drivers he most admires. It came as no surprise that Lewis Hamilton’s name surfaced swiftly. Renowned for his skill in maximizing car performance in both wet and dry conditions, combined with an aggressive yet smooth driving style, Hamilton has been dominant in the sport for over ten years.
“Lewis has always been someone I admire. His consistency, focus, and skill under pressure are qualities I’ve looked up to,” Antonelli remarked. “Observing his races, I’ve noticed that our driving styles have a lot in common; we both adopt a fluid and smooth approach on the track. It’s all about precision—managing the car’s balance while knowing when to push or hold back—and that’s an aspect of racing I believe I’ve honed over time.”
Despite being a young driver, Antonelli’s bold comparison to the seven-time world champion highlights his profound understanding of Hamilton’s success. He specifically points out two qualities in Hamilton’s driving style that experts have long praised: his skill in controlling the car under challenging conditions and his ability to maintain consistent lap times throughout a race.
These traits are crucial to Hamilton’s sustained success in F1, a sport where drivers often grapple with intense physical and mental challenges over extended careers. Antonelli’s ability to identify and relate to these characteristics indicates that he is not only learning rapidly but also critically analyzing how he can tailor his own style to compete with the best in the field.
Comparing the driving style of Kimi Antonelli to someone as skilled as Hamilton is ambitious, yet it highlights the mentorship and inspiration he receives from Mercedes. As part of their junior driver program, Antonelli has had the privilege of working closely with some of the sport’s most experienced engineers and drivers, including Hamilton himself.
While the two have not yet competed against each other in a competitive F1 setting, Hamilton has provided guidance and insights to Antonelli during their time together at Mercedes events. Antonelli has praised his interactions with Hamilton, highlighting the Briton’s experience and professionalism as significant influences on his own development.
“Lewis is always eager to impart his knowledge, particularly about understanding the car,” Antonelli stated. “He has guided me in improving my communication with engineers, managing tire wear efficiently, and optimizing performance over a race distance. It’s not just about being quick during qualifying; it’s also about ensuring the car performs well in all situations.”
These insights are priceless for a young driver aiming to establish himself in the F1 world, and Antonelli seems to be absorbing them fully. His ability to already draw parallels between his style and Hamilton’s at this point in his career demonstrates both his self-awareness and maturity as a driver.
Although Antonelli’s driving style bears some resemblance to Hamilton’s, there are distinct differences that may ultimately distinguish him. Hamilton’s success is frequently credited to his adaptability in various situations. Whether navigating challenging weather conditions, battling for track position, or conserving tires over long stints, Hamilton consistently showcases remarkable versatility.
For Antonelli, the adventure is only just starting. Although he shares some traits with Hamilton, there’s no question that his driving style will develop as he garners more experience at higher levels of racing and ultimately transitions to Formula 1. The challenges posed by an F1 car—including its significant downforce, complex power unit, and the fierce competition against world-class drivers—will compel Antonelli to further hone his abilities.
