Breaking: FIA announce MAJOR award for Hamilton F1 replacement…More
FIA announce MAJOR award for Hamilton F1 replacement
Italian racer Kimi Antonelli has been honored by the FIA for his remarkable on-track performance in 2024, receiving the prestigious Dallara Award for the best overtake of the season.
The 18-year-old, set to make his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes in 2025, executed a stunning move on Franco Colapinto during the Spa-Francorchamps Sprint Race, overtaking around the outside to secure sixth place.
Antonelli’s rise to F1 comes after Lewis Hamilton’s surprising decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for 2024, aiming for a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Hamilton’s departure opened the door for Antonelli, who was announced as George Russell’s team-mate for 2025 during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
The announcement followed a challenging FP1 session for Antonelli, where he substituted for Russell in front of his home crowd.
However, the pressure proved overwhelming, and he brought out a red flag just ten minutes into the session after a crash.
Despite this setback, Antonelli returned to Formula 2 to complete his season with PREMA Racing, finishing sixth in the championship standings.
His solid performance placed him ahead of teammate Ollie Bearman, another young talent who will also join F1 in 2025.
The recognition for Antonelli’s overtaking skill capped off an eventful year, solidifying his reputation as a promising driver.
His move on Colapinto at Spa was celebrated at the FIA post-season awards ceremony, highlighting his ability to excel under pressure.
Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto, who finished ninth in the F2 standings, also made headlines in 2024.
The Argentine driver was unexpectedly promoted to Formula 1 mid-season after Williams parted ways with Logan Sargeant due to underperformance.
Despite the challenges of stepping up mid-season, Colapinto impressed with his adaptability in F1.
As Antonelli prepares to step into Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes, the young driver faces immense expectations but has already shown glimpses of the talent needed to succeed at the sport’s highest level.
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