Mercedes Driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli rejects the comparison of Lewis Hamilton before the Formula’s debut 1 | F1 news

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, rejected comparisons with the seven -time world champion before Formula 1 debut.

While Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is the biggest story of the sport directed to the new season, which begins with Australia’s Grand Prix on March 16 .

The decision, of course, resulted in Antonelli connecting with Hamilton, who won six titles during a 12 -year 12 -year period with the team.

Speech Sports As Mercedes started their new collaboration with Adidas last week, Antonelli said: “I feel like I’m just a new Mercedes driver.

“Saying that I replace Lewis Hamilton, I don’t think it’s really right because it’s so big a figure in the sport and he has done so much.

“I feel like I am just the next Mercedes driver and I really want to make my way and achieve excellent results and be successful.”

‘The mentality is to win’

Antonelli is considered by some – which clearly includes important elements in Mercedes – to have a level of genetic talent that meant that the head of the Toto Wolff team could not risk losing the Italian to an opponent, without doing it quickly on F1.

While there is no doubt that Antonelli has a remarkable speed, there are questions about whether he is ready for the pressure and control that will come with driving to the F1.

“It’s not going to be easy because my first year on F1, at the end of the day I am fighting against the 19 best guides in the world,” Antonelli said.

“And of course the world of motor sport, especially F1, can sometimes be very brutal.

“But the thing is that I will try to stay focused on myself. Try to work day by day, the weekend with the weekend trying to improve myself.”

Following the omission of Formula 3, Antonelli has only one season of Formula 2 under his belt, but has been put through a rigorous Mercedes test program to prepare him for the F1.

Despite his lack of experience, Antonelli insists that his target from the 2025 -season round in Melbourne will win.

He added: “Of course, the mentality will be the one we try to move on and win, and then we will see.

“I have good people around me that especially at these times, they are really trying to help me ignore all the external things and always focus on the moment.”

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