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Lewis Hamilton has lavished praise on his Mercedes successor Andrea Kimi Antonelli, insisting the young Italian has been sensational and fully deserves to claim the Formula 1 world title. The teenager stands on the brink of a historic triumph ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Heading into the race in Texas, Antonelli holds a commanding 102-point lead over teammate George Russell, with Hamilton trailing by 111 points. This gives the Bologna native an opportunity to wrap up the world championship this weekend with a victory and favourable results against the two British drivers.
The seven-time world champion's move to Ferrari for the 2025 season paved the way for Antonelli's F1 promotion following a stellar rise through karting and the junior single-seater ranks. The move made the Italian the first driver in nearly two decades to make his debut straight into a front-running team on the grid.
Asked for his thoughts on his successor's performances, Hamilton said: "When I was there, I knew who was going to take my seat. Kimi was constantly around the team watching and learning, especially during my final year. I think it was the right decision to give a young, promising driver that chance. He had already showcased his talent in the junior categories, plus he brings enthusiasm, charm, and a fantastic attitude. He always fit in brilliantly with the team."
"In your rookie season, it's incredibly tough for anyone to step into a seat like that at a top team and shoulder all those expectations and responsibilities. But he handled it with great maturity and confidence. It's been a real pleasure watching him race this year. He has performed phenomenally and thoroughly deserves the championship," the Briton added.
Antonelli's rookie campaign last year was not without its challenges, featuring occasional mistakes and a slight pace deficit to Russell. In 2026, however, the Italian has shown a completely different level, claiming six pole positions and eight victories across 17 rounds, including a sensational home win at Monza from 19th on the grid. No other driver has won more than three races this season.
The youngster's consistency has been remarkable, having secured a podium finish in every round except for Barcelona and Silverstone—where mechanical failures struck—and Baku. When jokingly asked if he had any advice for the champion-elect, Hamilton quipped with a smile: "Drive slower."
"He doesn't need any advice. This year, he has proved his undeniable talent, ability, composure, and professionalism. He's done an unbelievable job, and I'm proud of him, of how he conducts himself on track, and his approach with the media and fellow drivers. I'm thrilled to see his success and the team's success. Even though it's no longer my current team, I always want to see my former squad at the top," the Ferrari star added.
Hamilton pointed out that the team's strong environment played a crucial role in the Italian's meteoric rise: "I knew what kind of support he would receive from the team. Bono is incredible at backing you up and guiding you, as are Shov, Simon, and everyone else. Toto manages the environment brilliantly and picks the right people. I had a similar experience when I joined Mercedes, and at McLaren before that. I see a lot of parallels between my early steps in the championship and what Kimi is doing now. Of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to what you do behind the wheel. Kimi handled the immense pressure and proved that, despite his youth, he possesses the maturity of a seasoned veteran."
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