F1 NEWS: Mercedes Blame Hamilton Incident for Antonelli’s S…read more
Mercedes Attribute Antonelli’s Shanghai Struggles to Hamilton Incident
A senior figure at Mercedes has identified an incident involving Lewis Hamilton as the key factor behind Kimi Antonelli’s difficulties at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Antonelli, the promising Italian rookie, has had an impressive start to his debut Formula 1 season, consistently outperforming his fellow first-year competitors. At just 18, he has secured points in every race so far and currently sits in an impressive fifth place in the drivers’ standings. His performances have justified Mercedes’ decision to promote him as Hamilton’s successor, with team boss Toto Wolff seeing him as a vital part of the team’s future.
Ferrari Collision Led to Unexpected Setback
Although Antonelli managed a seventh-place finish in the first sprint race of 2025, he encountered difficulties in Sunday’s main event. According to Mercedes’ chief engineer Andrew Shovlin, a clash between Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc early in the race had unintended repercussions for Antonelli.
“Leclerc collided with Lewis’ rear tire, breaking part of his front wing,” Shovlin revealed in Mercedes’ post-race debrief. “Kimi spotted the debris but couldn’t avoid it due to surrounding cars. He ran over it, and it became lodged under his car, damaging the floor fences.”
This damage significantly affected Antonelli’s performance, limiting his ability to compete at his usual level. Although adjustments were made during the pit stop, the car remained inconsistent throughout the race.
Despite the challenges, Shovlin praised Antonelli’s determination, suggesting that without the damage, he could have been fighting alongside Ferrari and Max Verstappen. “It would have been exciting to see him in that battle, but this experience will only help him grow as a driver,” he added.
With his strong mindset and undeniable talent, Antonelli continues to be a rising contender, and Mercedes believes his best is yet to come.
