JUST IN:Lewis Hamilton's expected Mercedes replacement hits...

Lewis Hamilton’s expected Mercedes replacement hits back at critics

Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian racing sensation expected to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, has responded to critics who believe he entered his rookie Formula Two (F2) season with an overconfidence to dominate the series. Contrary to this belief, Antonelli revealed that he never anticipated skipping Formula Three (F3) and was initially taken aback when Mercedes

informed him of their plans to promote him directly to F2.

The 17-year-old had an outstanding 2023 season, where he dominated the Formula Regional and Italian F4 championships, making him a strong candidate for a season in F3. However, in a surprising move, Mercedes decided to fast-track his development by placing him in F2 with Prema Racing, bypassing F3 entirely.

Now, just halfway through the F2 season, Antonelli is being groomed for an even bigger step up—Formula One (F1). Reports suggest that the young driver is on the brink of being announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes, with an official announcement likely to come before the Italian Grand Prix in early September

Despite the rapid progression in his career, Antonelli’s transition into F2 has not been without its challenges.

He initially struggled to adapt to the new F2 cars, and this led to some critical voices in the racing community, including that of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who argued that Antonelli might not yet be ready for the pressures of racing for Mercedes in F1.

In a candid interview with Autosport, Antonelli was asked if he had entered the F2 season expecting to dominate. He responded, “No, because I never expected to go straight into F2. When they informed me that this was the plan, I thought it would be a big jump because you usually go to F3 first.”

This response highlights that the move was unexpected for Antonelli himself, who recognized the significant leap in competition and challenge from F4 to F2 without the intermediary step of F3.

Antonelli’s comments offer insight into his mindset as he navigates the steep learning curve that comes with such a rapid ascent through the racing ranks. His approach seems grounded in realism, acknowledging the difficulties he has faced rather than exuding an air of entitlement or overconfidence.

The decision to place Antonelli in F2 directly aligns with Mercedes’ long-term vision for their junior drivers, emphasizing a quicker pathway to F1 for the most promising talents.

However, this approach naturally comes with risks, especially when dealing with a young driver still acclimating to higher levels of competition.

As the F2 season progresses, all eyes are on Antonelli to see whether he can overcome the initial hurdles and prove himself capable of handling the pressures of F1.

His performance in the latter half of the F2 season will be crucial not just for his career but also for Mercedes, who are betting on his potential to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Lewis Hamilton.

In summary, Kimi Antonelli’s journey to potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes is marked by unexpected challenges and rapid progression.

While some may have expected him to breeze through F2 given his previous successes, Antonelli himself never harbored such illusions, understanding the magnitude of the step he was taking.

As he continues to adapt and grow in the face of criticism, the racing world watches closely to see if he can meet the high expectations set for him and ultimately secure his place in F1 with Mercedes.