Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Monza 2018 memory revisited: the day a young Mercedes talent told Lewis Hamilton he was “the best”
The rise of Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Formula 1 has brought renewed attention to one of his earliest unforgettable motorsport memories: meeting Lewis Hamilton at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The moment, now widely shared through Sky’s documentary series “Discover Kimi – The origins of F1’s new Italian talent”, has become a symbolic reference point in the journey of the young Italian driver from Bologna.
At just a few years into his motorsport path at the time, Andrea Kimi Antonelli could never have imagined that the same paddock moment would later be discussed as part of the story of a future Formula 1 title contender. In the interview, he reflected on how emotional that first close encounter with elite Formula 1 drivers truly was.
A childhood dream in the Monza paddock
The 2018 Monza Grand Prix marked a formative experience for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was selected as one of the grid kids responsible for accompanying drivers onto the starting grid. For the young Italian, it was the closest possible access to the world he had only previously seen on television.
Among the drivers he met that weekend was Lewis Hamilton, who at the time was competing for Mercedes during his dominant era and would go on to secure another Formula 1 World Championship that same season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli later explained that he had prepared for the experience in advance, bringing a book filled with driver photographs into the FIA paddock area, asking several drivers for autographs as he moved through the grid environment.
Antonelli reflects on meeting Lewis Hamilton
Recalling the moment, Andrea Kimi Antonelli described how overwhelming it was to finally stand so close to the drivers he had grown up watching from home.
He explained that he had become accustomed to seeing Formula 1 drivers only on television, and that meeting them in person for the first time created a powerful emotional reaction that stayed with him for years.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli also highlighted that his proximity to Mercedes may have played a role in his experience that day, allowing him to stand directly in front of Lewis Hamilton during the national anthem ceremony on the grid.
According to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the moment felt surreal, as he was suddenly part of the environment he had always dreamed of joining, surrounded by the highest level of motorsport competition in the world.
“I told Lewis Hamilton he was the best”
One of the most memorable details shared by Andrea Kimi Antonelli was his brief interaction with Lewis Hamilton just before the start of the race.
He recalled that he managed to exchange a high five with Lewis Hamilton on the grid and told him directly: “Remember, you’re the best.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli added that the experience felt almost unreal in hindsight, especially considering what followed, as Lewis Hamilton went on to win the race at Monza shortly after their interaction.
From grid kid to Formula 1 title contender
Years later, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s career trajectory has taken him from promising karting talent to one of the most talked-about names in modern Formula 1. Now competing at the highest level, he is increasingly seen as a serious contender in the championship fight.
His rapid rise, supported early by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, has included race victories in both China and Japan, further strengthening his reputation as one of the most complete young drivers on the grid.
In his second Formula 1 season, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has shown notable maturity and consistency, while also developing a growing competitive rivalry with teammate George Russell.
Once labeled in junior categories as “the new Max Verstappen”, Andrea Kimi Antonelli continues to build his own identity in Formula 1, combining natural speed with a calm and analytical approach to racing strategy.
A defining moment in a rising career
Looking back, the Monza 2018 encounter between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton now stands as more than just a childhood memory. It represents a symbolic link between inspiration and achievement, highlighting how early experiences in Formula 1 environments can shape future champions.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli continues to develop his career at the top level of motorsport and that moment on the Monza grid remains a personal reminder of how far he has come — from admiring Lewis Hamilton from close range to competing as one of Formula 1’s emerging stars.
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