Has Kimi Antonelli shifted his approach to fighting Lewis Hamilton in debut season? Ted Kravitz weighs in. Kimi Antonelli has shifted his focus and is now aiming to beat Lewis Hamilton.

Kimi Antonelli Eyes Lewis Hamilton as Momentum Builds

At the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season, few would have predicted that Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton would be direct rivals in the championship standings by the final races of the year. On one hand, Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion joining Ferrari, a team that narrowly missed out on the 2024 constructors’ title to McLaren. On the other hand, Kimi Antonelli is a 19-year-old rookie stepping into a Mercedes seat, inheriting immense expectations as he replaces a proven world-class driver.

Before the season began, Kimi Antonelli had stated that he was focused solely on his own performance rather than comparing himself to Lewis Hamilton. The Italian driver emphasized developing his own racecraft and adapting to the pressures of Formula 1, rather than concerning himself with the accomplishments of his predecessor. For both drivers, however, the 2025 campaign has been a challenging journey, though for very different reasons.

Lewis Hamilton has struggled to adapt to Ferrari’s environment in Maranello, frequently noting difficulties with the car’s balance and the team’s operational methods. As the season approaches its conclusion, the seven-time world champion has yet to secure a podium, highlighting the unexpected challenges of his debut year with the Scuderia.

Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, experienced a rollercoaster rookie season. After an impressive start, including a fourth-place finish on his debut in Australia from 16th on the grid, the young Italian faced significant struggles during the European rounds. His first podium in Canada was a bright spot, but it was overshadowed by a series of seven non-points finishes in races like Zandvoort, caused by a combination of rookie mistakes and mechanical issues.

Recently, however, Kimi Antonelli has shown signs of maturity and consistency, with strong results in Brazil and Las Vegas. These performances have brought him back into contention, and the young Mercedes driver is now closing the gap on Lewis Hamilton, signaling a notable shift in momentum.

Kimi Antonelli’s Shift in Focus Towards Beating Lewis Hamilton

Following a fifth-place finish in Qatar, marred by a mistake on the penultimate lap, Kimi Antonelli is now just two points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings. This development suggests that Antonelli has shifted his mindset. Previously unconcerned with competing directly against the seven-time world champion, the Italian rookie now appears motivated to challenge and surpass him.

Ted Kravitz noted in his analysis that Kimi Antonelli is now actively aiming to outperform Lewis Hamilton. He described how Kimi Antonelli’s small error in the Qatar race, going wide and losing pace to Lando Norris, prevented him from overtaking the Briton in the standings immediately. Despite the setback, the intention and ambition to surpass the British driver were clear, marking a psychological and strategic change for the young Italian.

Can Kimi Antonelli Surpass Lewis Hamilton in the 2025 Championship?

Throughout 2025, Lewis Hamilton has reportedly offered guidance to Kimi Antonelli, advising him to ignore external pressure and focus on his own development. This mentorship seems to have paid off as  KimiAntonelli enters the final races of the season in a strong position, carrying momentum and confidence. Being just two points behind the 40-year-old seven-time champion, Antonelli faces a daunting challenge, but it is not impossible.

If the Mercedes driver manages to surpass Lewis Hamilton in the final standings, it would underscore the struggles of the Briton’s first year at Ferrari, where the British driver has consistently found it difficult to extract strong results from the SF-25. Conversely, Kimi Antonelli’s performance would highlight his adaptability and skill as a rookie, capable of challenging one of Formula 1’s most accomplished drivers.

The young Italian has already broken Lewis Hamilton’s rookie points record, though comparisons across eras are always subject to debate. Nonetheless, finishing ahead of Hamilton in 2025 would be a remarkable achievement for Kimi Antonelli and a testament to his rapid rise in the sport.

As the season heads to Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton will aim to finish on a high note, but Kimi Antonelli’s current form and momentum suggest that the rookie is in prime position to close the year with a strong statement performance against a seven-time world champion.