F1 DRIVER SHUFFLE: Hamilton to be REPLACED with an Italian.

Kimi Antonelli to Replace Lewis Hamilton in FP1 at Mexican Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is set to be replaced during the opening session of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix following a difficult outing at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion suffered an early exit during last weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix after losing control of his Mercedes on the third lap. It marked a disappointing end to a race weekend that began with a challenging qualifying session for Hamilton, who had initially qualified 19th but started in 18th after a grid penalty was issued to his Mercedes teammate.

Hamilton had been optimistic about making progress in the race after a blistering start that saw him move up to 12th within the first few laps. However, his hopes were dashed when he retired early after losing control. This latest setback is a continuation of a tough period for the 39-year-old driver, who has struggled to maintain the high level of performance he displayed earlier in the season.

At the start of the year, Hamilton appeared in fine form, securing victories at both Silverstone and Spa. But since returning from the summer break, his pace has dropped off, leaving him trailing behind his main competitors in the championship battle. With only five races left in the 2024 season, the British driver is running out of opportunities to claim another victory before his anticipated switch to Ferrari in 2025. Despite his early season success, Hamilton has found himself well off the pace in recent races, and a podium finish now seems a distant goal.

In Mexico City, Hamilton will not participate in the first practice session (FP1) on Friday. Instead, Mercedes will give their future star, Kimi Antonelli, a chance to step in. Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian prodigy, has already had a taste of Formula 1, having driven in a practice session at Monza earlier this year. That debut didn’t go as planned, as he spun off the track, but the young driver remains optimistic and eager to prove himself.

This replacement, however, has little to do with Hamilton’s performance. According to F1 regulations, each driver on the grid must miss a practice session at least once during the season to allow a driver with fewer than two Grand Prix starts to gain experience. For Mercedes, this means giving Antonelli another opportunity to get behind the wheel and familiarize himself with the demands of the sport.

Antonelli has been preparing intensively for this moment, especially as the Mexican Grand Prix presents unique challenges. The circuit’s altitude, which sits at over 2,200 meters above sea level, poses distinct difficulties for drivers and teams alike. The thinner air impacts both car performance and driver stamina, making it a formidable test for any driver, let alone a rookie. However, Antonelli is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the team and gain more experience in a Formula 1 car.

In a statement on Mercedes’ official team website, Antonelli expressed his gratitude for the opportunity: “I’m looking forward to driving in FP1 and playing my part in helping the team make a good start on track this weekend. It is a new circuit for me and one I have been working hard to prepare for. The altitude makes it unique and it’s a challenge I’m excited to experience.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, will have another chance to compete later in the weekend, and with five races left in the 2024 season, he still has time to secure a final victory with Mercedes before his much-anticipated move to Ferrari next year. Despite the ups and downs this season, Hamilton will be hoping to make the most of his remaining opportunities on track.