Lewis Hamilton’s Handwritten Message to Kimi Antonelli to Be....

Lewis Hamilton’s Handwritten Message to Kimi Antonelli to Be….read more

A personal and heartfelt gesture from seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is set to be uncovered this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, as rising star Kimi Antonelli prepares to read a handwritten note left for him by the Mercedes legend.

The message, penned by Hamilton after last season’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, was written for Antonelli, the promising young driver expected to step into Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes in 2025. With Hamilton making a sensational switch to Ferrari for the upcoming season, the note was left as both a farewell and a welcome to the rookie who will take on the daunting task of continuing the British driver’s legacy at the Silver Arrows.

The note was placed in Antonelli’s future driver room inside the Mercedes motorhome, a mobile base that the team uses at every European race. Because the same facility is being reused this weekend at Imola, Antonelli will finally have the chance to read Hamilton’s words in full for the very first time.

Stephen Lord, Mercedes’ race team co-ordinator, shared details about the emotional moment when Hamilton decided to leave the note. Speaking ahead of the Imola weekend, Lord explained that Hamilton had taken the time after last year’s Monza race to pen the message thoughtfully, leaving it specifically in the room that would later be allocated to Antonelli.

While the full contents of the message remain private for now, Lord did disclose a few lines, revealing some of the heartfelt sentiments Hamilton shared with his successor. According to Lord, part of the message reads: “This team will become your family. Give it everything, and it will give you everything in return.”

Hamilton’s words seem to echo the deep connection he built over his many years with Mercedes. His encouragement to Antonelli serves as a symbolic passing of the torch, offering guidance and emotional support to the young Italian who carries immense expectations heading into his rookie season.

Antonelli, who has risen rapidly through the junior racing ranks, has long been tipped as a future star for the team. His promotion to the Mercedes F1 seat in 2025 marks a significant moment in his career—and reading the message left by one of the greatest drivers in history is sure to be a poignant experience.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks the end of an era for Mercedes. Since joining the team in 2013, he has won six of his seven world titles with the German outfit, cementing his place in F1 history. As he prepares for a new chapter with the Scuderia, Hamilton’s gesture shows the class and humility with which he leaves Mercedes, offering support to the driver stepping into his role rather than simply walking away.

The decision to leave the note during last year’s Italian Grand Prix is also symbolic. Not only was the race held in Antonelli’s home country of Italy, but it also came at a time when Mercedes was beginning to plan for the post-Hamilton era. The note, preserved in Antonelli’s driver room for months, reflects both foresight and care in ensuring the rookie would have a meaningful welcome into the team’s inner circle.

Fans and pundits alike are eagerly awaiting Antonelli’s reaction once he finally reads the note in its entirety at Imola. It’s likely to be an emotional moment for the young driver as he reflects on the responsibility he is about to undertake and the support offered by a driver of Hamilton’s stature.

As Mercedes turns the page to a new chapter, Hamilton’s message to Antonelli may stand as a lasting symbol of the respect and unity that defines the team. This weekend, as racing resumes at Imola, that quiet moment of connection between past and future may be one of the most powerful stories off the track.