Lewis Hamilton has expressed his pride in Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable performances for Mercedes in 2026, declaring that the young Italian deserves to become Formula 1 world champion. The seven-time world champion, who now races for Ferrari, praised his successor’s talent, maturity and composure, while admitting that seeing his former team return to the top of the sport comes as no surprise.
The comments come as Andrea Kimi Antonelli approaches a potentially decisive moment in the championship. Six years after Lewis Hamilton secured his seventh world title in 2020, the Italian could now complete a symbolic changing of the guard by bringing the Drivers’ Championship back to Mercedes during the upcoming three-race sequence.
Lewis Hamilton says Andrea Kimi Antonelli needs no advice
Speaking during a press conference, Lewis Hamilton was asked whether he had any advice for the young driver who replaced him at Mercedes. His response was emphatic, reflecting his admiration for how Andrea Kimi Antonelli has handled the pressure and expectations surrounding his Formula 1 career.
“Advice for Antonelli? I don’t have any,” Lewis Hamilton said. “He doesn’t need advice. I think this year, and last year as well, but especially this year, he’s demonstrated his talent and abilities, his calmness and his approach. He’s done an extraordinary job this year, and I’m really proud of him. I’m really proud of the way he’s conducted himself, how he interacts with the drivers and even with you guys. It’s fantastic to see him and the team excelling. Even though it’s not my team, I would always want my old team to do well.”
The Ferrari driver’s praise highlights the relationship between Mercedes’ past and present. Having spent many years competing for championships with the Brackley-based team, Lewis Hamilton continues to follow its progress closely, even while pursuing his own ambitions with the Scuderia.
His admiration for the Italian is not new. Earlier in the season, Lewis Hamilton also praised Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s development and compared the young driver’s emergence with his own early Formula 1 career.
Lewis Hamilton explains why Mercedes made the right decision
Lewis Hamilton revealed that he already knew who would replace him at Mercedes before leaving the team. Andrea Kimi Antonelli had been a familiar presence within the organisation, particularly during the British driver’s final season, and had impressed with both his achievements in junior categories and his attitude away from the track.
“I already knew who was going to replace me,” Lewis Hamilton added. “Kimi was always around the team, following us a lot, especially during my last year there. And I think it was the right decision to give a young, promising driver an opportunity. Kimi had demonstrated his abilities in the junior categories, as well as his enthusiasm, his charm and his excellent approach to everything. He always fitted in very well within the environment.”
The seven-time world champion also highlighted the importance of the people supporting Andrea Kimi Antonelli, including race engineer Peter Bonnington, widely known as Bono, who previously worked alongside Lewis Hamilton during his successful years at Mercedes.
“Working alongside Bono is a truly extraordinary experience. But there are so many fantastic people in that team, and that’s exactly why they’ve achieved what they have. Honestly, I have huge admiration for what they do. And seeing them return to the top doesn’t surprise me at all, because I experienced it first-hand for many, many years there.”
Lewis Hamilton praises Kimi Antonelli’s maturity under pressure
For Lewis Hamilton, one of the most impressive aspects of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s progress has been his ability to handle the responsibilities associated with driving for a leading Formula 1 team. The Ferrari driver acknowledged that adapting to such an environment is challenging for any newcomer, particularly when expectations are already extremely high.
“I think in the first year it’s difficult for anyone to step into a role like that, to join a team like that and get to work with all the expectations on your shoulders, the responsibilities you have, the commitment required and everything else. But I think he’s really taken it all in his stride. It’s been really fantastic to see his performances this year. It’s really impressive, and he deserves to be champion.”
Those words underline just how highly Lewis Hamilton regards the Mercedes driver’s development. The Italian’s composure, consistency and approach have clearly made an impression on his predecessor, who recognises the demands of competing for the championship with the Brackley-based outfit.
A symbolic changing of the guard between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes
The prospect of Andrea Kimi Antonelli winning the 2026 Drivers’ Championship carries particular significance given Mercedes’ history with Lewis Hamilton. The British driver claimed his seventh world title in 2020, and six years later his successor is approaching an opportunity to return the team to the top of Formula 1.
Although Lewis Hamilton now represents Ferrari, his comments demonstrate the respect he retains for the organisation where he enjoyed so much success. His own campaign continues in red, but that has not prevented him from openly celebrating the progress of the driver who inherited his Mercedes seat.
With the championship approaching a crucial stage, attention turns to the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin and the upcoming races that could determine the title. For Lewis Hamilton, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already demonstrated the qualities required of a world champion, regardless of whether the championship is mathematically secured over the next three rounds.
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