At a recent Ferrari team event, Lewis Hamilton surprised and delighted staff by speaking in Italian on stage. His 2025 teammate Charles Leclerc, originally from Monaco, is already fluent in the language, but it is not considered essential for success at Ferrari. Michael Schumacher, for example, never mastered Italian, and although this did cause some discontent among the passionate Tifosi fans, it didn’t stop him from clinching five consecutive world championships with the Scuderia.

Despite this, Naomi Schiff has pointed out that Hamilton might feel left out if he doesn’t develop at least a basic understanding of Italian. Charles Leclerc’s fluency means he could easily communicate privately with engineers, which could lead to a sense of isolation for Hamilton if he can’t join in.

Kimi Antonelli, Italy’s only representative on the 2025 grid, could provide some insight here. He is set to replace the British driver at Mercedes and, despite being one of the youngest F1 drivers ever, has already shown strong proficiency in English. Kimi Antonelli was also present at the F1 75 launch, where Hamilton made his first official appearance in Ferrari colors.

At the event, Kimi Antonelli revealed in an interview with Sky Italy that he had already conversed with Hamilton in Italian, and he was impressed with the progress the 40-year-old driver has made. Hamilton’s efforts to speak the language seem to be paying off, signaling his determination to immerse himself in Ferrari’s culture as he begins this new chapter of his illustrious career. He mentioned that they had exchanged a few words in Italian and added that Hamilton was improving in the language. He also expressed that it was nice to see Hamilton and that it would be exciting to share the track with him.

As a child, Antonelli was more inclined to cheer for Sebastian Vettel rather than Lewis Hamilton. This preference stemmed from Vettel’s connection to Red Bull, which reminded him of Ayrton Senna, his ultimate hero.

Lewis Hamilton has shared the biggest challenge he’s encountered since joining Ferrari, emphasizing how different the experience has been compared to his previous teams. The seven-time world champion has been settling into Ferrari by immersing himself in the team’s environment, even staying at the factory with his motorhome parked close to the legendary Enzo Ferrari’s home. In his efforts to integrate fully, Hamilton has been having regular lunches with his new engineers to build relationships and get to know the team better.

Speaking at a team event on Tuesday, Hamilton described feeling ‘invigorated’ by his move to Ferrari, a sentiment he admits was much needed after what seemed like a challenging period for him last season. This two-year contract with Ferrari marks a new chapter in Hamilton’s career as he transitions into the sport’s new era, with the possibility of extending his deal by an additional year.

Despite being prepared for a steep learning curve, Hamilton acknowledged that adjusting to Ferrari has been more difficult than he anticipated. The rigorous work and adaptation during the winter will only prove valuable if he is fully prepared to challenge Charles Leclerc as the season kicks off in Melbourne.

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Kimi Antonelli is set to become Italy’s first Formula 1 driver since Antonio Giovinazzi, stepping into one of the most high-profile seats on the grid as he joins Mercedes for the 2025 season. The young talent has been chosen to succeed Lewis Hamilton, though he insists he doesn’t see himself as a direct replacement for the seven-time world champion. However, given Hamilton’s six titles with the Brackley-based outfit, comparisons between the two will be inevitable.

Antonio Giovinazzi, the last Italian to race in F1, made his debut with Sauber in 2017 as a stand-in for Pascal Wehrlein before securing a full-time seat in 2019 under the Alfa Romeo banner. Over 62 Grand Prix starts, he accumulated 21 points, with a career-best finish of fifth place. Antonelli, however, has loftier ambitions—his goal is not just to compete but to win races and fight for world championships, aligning perfectly with Mercedes’ long-term vision.

Italy has a rich motorsport heritage, but it has been nearly two decades since an Italian driver last claimed victory in F1. Giancarlo Fisichella remains the nation’s most recent Grand Prix winner, having triumphed at the 2006 Malaysian GP—a result that marked Italy’s 43rd win in the sport. Even more remarkably, the country has not produced a world champion since Alberto Ascari secured back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953, a drought that Antonelli will be hoping to help end.

Kimi Antonelli Highlights Unique British-Italian Dynamic with Hamilton’s Ferrari Move
While Antonelli is making the transition to the UK-based Mercedes squad, Hamilton is making the reverse journey, joining Italy’s most iconic team, Ferrari. The British driver’s arrival in Maranello has sparked huge excitement, particularly as Ferrari has not had a full-time British driver since Eddie Irvine, who raced alongside Michael Schumacher between 1996 and 1999 and secured four victories during his tenure.

The list of British drivers to have raced for Ferrari also includes legends such as Nigel Mansell, John Surtees, and Mike Hawthorn. Surtees and Hawthorn both secured world titles with the Scuderia, though their championships came in the early years of the sport. Now, Hamilton and Antonelli each have the opportunity to break long-standing records—Hamilton aiming to become the first Briton to win a championship with Ferrari in over six decades, while Antonelli hopes to reestablish Italy’s presence at the top of F1.

Kimi Antonelli expressed his amazement at the unusual dynamic of an Italian driver joining Mercedes while a British driver heads to Ferrari, describing the situation as “a bit crazy.” Speaking to Sky Sports, he shared his excitement about his own position in Formula 1, acknowledging the significant attention surrounding his arrival on the grid. He also remarked on the incredible nature of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, predicting that it would generate immense enthusiasm, particularly at the Italian Grand Prix.

Antonelli’s prediction about the Italian Grand Prix appears to be spot on, as organizers at Monza are facing an extraordinary surge in ticket demand ahead of the race in September. The anticipation surrounding the event is higher than ever, fueled by major driver moves and the presence of an Italian driver on the grid for the first time in years.

The ‘Near-Legendary’ Kimi Antonelli Trait That Has Mercedes Excited

Even before making his competitive debut, Antonelli has already become a highly regarded figure within Mercedes. Having joined the team’s driver academy at just 11 years old, he has spent years developing under their guidance and has now earned his place in Formula 1.

Described by one journalist as an exceptionally “likeable guy,” Antonelli has built a solid reputation both on and off the track. Mercedes, however, have been careful to manage expectations, emphasizing that while his potential is enormous, they do not want to burden him with excessive pressure too soon.

Despite this cautious approach, the team’s long-term belief in Antonelli is clear. Unlike George Russell, who had to prove himself at Williams before securing a Mercedes seat, Antonelli was fast-tracked straight into the works team—a strong indication of how highly they rate him.

What has particularly impressed those within Mercedes is his ability to push the limits in older-spec cars during testing. His dedication and skill in these extensive test runs have already earned him what some describe as “near-legendary” status. With thousands of miles under his belt in preparation for his Formula 1 debut in Australia, Antonelli is primed to make an impact right from the start.

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Difficult but not impossible?
According to Brazilian journalist Mariana Becker, there have been discussions between Mercedes and Williams to carry out a move that would see the former Ferrari driver join Brackley and the Italian rookie alongside Alex Albon.

More precisely, according to this rumor, the teams are said to have spoken even on the day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It seems that Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has denied all of this. However, it’s reasonable to think that there may be at least a slight possibility that Carlos Sainz, perhaps under certain conditions, could replace Antonelli behind the wheel of the Silver Arrows.

In short, we can only wait for any further updates on the matter, but one thing is certain: we have seen transfers on paper that seemed even more improbable…

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2025, a guaranteed spectacle.

Like it or not, Formula 1 under the Stefano Domenicali/Liberty Media management has experienced and continues to experience an extremely prosperous period, both in terms of TV ratings and the ever-growing number of spectators at the circuits, especially with a season that is finally balanced and full of surprises after Red Bull’s dominance over the past two years.

But next year, the pinnacle of motorsport promises to deliver even more spectacle.

Aside from a technical gap between teams that is expected to narrow toward absolute balance, the 2025 Formula 1 season will be remembered for the historic debut of Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari, who, after eleven years, will shed his Mercedes driver suit to don the red, fulfilling the dream of a lifetime.

“As a fan of the Prancing Horse, it’s an extraordinary opportunity because Hamilton is a central figure,” Stefano Domenicali began, speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento. There’s also great anticipation to finally see our Kimi Antonelli in action, with the young Italian talent ready to carry Mercedes on his shoulders despite his very young age, following his first, though unfortunate, taste of Formula 1 at Monza a few weeks ago.

“The young drivers? There are many, and what I like is that each one has their own personality. We are in a fortunate phase, and the issue of drivers is not a problem. Young blood is essential for us; what F1 needs to do is move away from its self-referentiality. I want to see different faces and professions.”

For a Formula 1 increasingly appealing to the new generations, Stefano Domenicali emphasized the importance of putting the youth at the center: “It’s an F1 that, if it had remained tied to old themes, wouldn’t have evolved this way. We had to understand the sensitivity of those who follow us, with different ages, opinions, and sensibilities.”

“It’s a platform that, from being purely a sport, has become entertainment. Drivers remain at the core, but we’ve expanded the product through social media, storytelling, thinking that attracting younger people through diversity was crucial.” – he pointed out – “We’ve launched the Kids’ TV. Now the Brad Pitt movie is coming, which will give us another boost. We need to think big, and we have the obligation to anchor young people to our product. And this is giving us great commercial credibility. We’ve never been this strong; everyone wants to come because Formula 1 is the place to be.” – the former Ferrari team principal explained.

“What we’ve done in such a short time is incredible. Now we need to think about expanding even further. The great challenge is to make sure that all those who follow us remain consistently focused.” – Stefano Domenicali concluded.

Source: f1ingenerale

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The heart wants what it wants; true feelings are pure and free from any contractual ties. Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 debut will be with Mercedes, and it’s only natural that the Italian prodigy is connected to the colors of Brackley. The Silver Arrows discovered him, nurtured him, and are ready to put him on the grid as one of their own: his “fatherly” affection for Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is only natural.

But who knows, when the young driver from Bologna finds himself side by side with a Ferrari, he might dream for just a moment of being behind the wheel of the Italian car, an Italian driver in an Italian machine. Just wishful thinking, of course, at least for now. No one would ever dream of criticizing him if he ties his name firmly to Mercedes. Yet, as we said, the love was there.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirms it himself, sharing a childhood story involving a “mug” of Sebastian Vettel: “Let’s just say that, yes, since I’ve been with Mercedes, I’ve supported Mercedes,” the 18-year-old rookie said. “But when I was little, I have to say I was a Ferrari fan, and I especially supported Sebastian Vettel. I even had one of his mugs, which I’m not sure if we still have at home, simply because I liked him as a driver.”

The German, after a career of winning World Championships at Milton Keynes alongside Red Bull, became Ferrari’s captain in their chase of Mercedes between 2015 and 2019, before Charles Leclerc’s arrival. And who knows, maybe one day the young Brackley prodigy might decide (or manage) to follow in his footsteps.

Source: f1ingenerale

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Formula 1, a world boasting great technical excellence, is not immune to being influenced by trends. This cannot be explained otherwise, as there are historical cycles that repeat themselves roughly every decade.

After last year’s record of stability, with a market that didn’t propose a single change in the team/driver lineup for 2024, there is now a renewed focus on young talents in the paddock.

It happened in 2006/2007, with the arrival of a high-quality quartet (Hamilton, Rosberg, Kubica, Vettel), and something similar occurred in the 2018/2019 seasons with the Norris-Russell-Leclerc-Albon generation. These sparks of interest are separated by periods where the ‘experience’ factor is judged as fundamental in evaluating a driver’s selection.

To reignite interest, a spark is always needed, and this season has provided several. It started with Oliver Bearman, who made his unexpected debut in Jeddah, a situation that cemented Mercedes’ decision to set aside the planned transition of Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Oliver Bearman’s teammate in F2) to Williams, promoting him directly to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Then came the surprising debut of Franco Colapinto, who went from being a mysterious figure to a driver receiving significant attention inside and outside the Williams orbit within a few weeks. Alpine also made a bold move, promoting its Academy driver Jack Doohan to the main team.

In Formula 1, a new variable is not always welcome. When it comes to drivers, a new entry (especially a rookie) is seen as a risk. There are relationships to build, and even for the most talented, there’s additional work that needs to be accounted for, and this extra work is often considered a hassle.

However, today, many teams have a very useful tool to minimize risk—the ‘junior’ programs, the Academies that have been established (with varying degrees of success) by almost all teams for nearly two decades. But they are not always fully exploited, as in some cases the relationship is limited to funding careers (in a few cases fully, in many others partially) in feeder series and monitoring results.

There was much surprise regarding Franco Colapinto’s debut, confirming that a simple analysis of results in the lower categories is not enough to have a clear picture of a driver’s potential. A champion in Spanish F4 (in 2019), the Argentine moved up to F2 without showing numbers suggesting a future star.

Third in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2020, sixth in the 2021 Formula Regional season, ninth and fourth in the following two years in Formula 3. Yet, at the beginning of 2023, Williams decided to include him in its Academy, guiding him through the F2 season (still ongoing) where the results have been good but not outstanding. A victory in Imola, two second places in Barcelona and Spielberg.

When it came time to find a replacement for Logan Sargeant in the paddock, Mick Schumacher, with two seasons behind him and some sponsorship, was considered the perfect candidate. This was the expected choice even by Mercedes (which has a technical partnership with Williams beyond supplying the power unit), but team principal James Vowles chose Franco Colapinto.

Franco also provided financial support to the team, but that wasn’t the deciding factor. James Vowles had been in contact with the Argentine over the past year, following him closely and having the opportunity to evaluate his results in feeder series, a world where Franco Colapinto (without the budgets of top teams) never had access to top-tier squads.

It’s not just about putting a young driver in the official colors and waiting for successes in F3 and F2. To understand what talent you have, you need to dedicate time, offer opportunities, involve them, and put them to the test. Waiting for a report from the team they race for in lower categories is part of the job, but not everything.

In the 2025 season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, there will be at least four drivers starting their first full season in Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, and Jack Doohan, all from junior programs. This is good news for those in the Academies because after years when entry into Formula 1 was limited to a few exceptions, perhaps teams have understood that with the right management of junior programs, it’s possible to find in-house what was previously sought elsewhere, recycling experienced drivers who often had limited motivation.

The comeback of former top drivers has in most cases guaranteed golden retirements for those involved, but in terms of results, these operations have been failures, confirming that there’s a risk margin in every choice. It’s right that Formula 1 has champions like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, drivers whose motivation has never wavered, but with only 20 seats available, it’s also right that those who lower their guard can be replaced by someone who has done everything necessary to deserve a chance.

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive for Mercedes in the 2025 Formula 1 championship, when he will replace Lewis Hamilton, but Helmut Marko revealed some behind-the-scenes details about Ferrari and Red Bull. According to the Red Bull super-consultant, the young driver from Bologna was never on Milton Keynes’ radar. On the contrary, Ferrari could have had the priority to sign him, but that didn’t happen, paving the way for Toto Wolff and Mercedes.

Mercedes chose Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will replace Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025. The announcement was officially confirmed a few weeks ago, following months of rumors in the paddock that sometimes saw him very close to signing, sometimes parked in Williams, and at other times still in Formula 2. The Italian’s future is now set, and his debut in the first free practice session at Monza was just a taste of what’s to come.

His path to Formula 1 has been relatively short compared to other drivers, but it is undoubtedly marked by success. From his karting days, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has shown exceptional talent, comparable, according to some, to Max Verstappen. However, as Helmut Marko revealed, he might not have impressed everyone when he was younger.

“At the time, he was racing with Tony Kart, which cooperated with Ferrari,” the Austrian explained on the Inside Line F1 podcast. “But you can’t sign every driver! Ferrari obviously didn’t sign Antonelli, despite having the priority over others. I’m not very informed about his specifics, but I know he’s had a lot of time in F1 cars. If someone has talent and a team has enough courage…” – the Red Bull boss pointed out.

“We showed with Max [Verstappen] that it’s the right approach: someone is moving up in the junior categories and has talent? Put them in the car!” Helmut Marko concluded, suggesting that Verstappen’s success likely influenced Mercedes’ decision.

Source: f1ingenerale

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Kimi Raikkonen’s opinion on Kimi Antonelli’s arrival in F1

Of course, when Kimi Raikkonen was approached by the media, there had to be a question about the young driver who shares his name: “I’m aware of his situation. They told us Mercedes made the announcement just as we arrived at the track,” reports ‘Formula1.com.’

“I think it’s incredible news,” the 2007 Formula One world champion with Ferrari continued. “Next season will see a lot of new faces, and that’s good for the sport. I think it’s fantastic to have an Italian driver back on the grid. Positive news for everyone.” – the Finn added.

Raikkonen: “The team will know how to prepare him”

Many wonder if it might be too early to put Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a Formula 1 car at such a young age, especially since he skipped Formula 3 and hasn’t achieved great results in F2, apart from winning the Sprint Race at Silverstone and the Feature Race in Hungary.

The 2007 Formula 1 World Champion from Finland is confident that the Italian will do well behind the wheel of the Mercedes next year, considering how things used to be: “Andrea Kimi will be well-prepared. The team will know what to do. Nowadays, you can rely on simulators. In my time, they didn’t exist. You just jumped in! Now, in some ways, it’s much easier. I wish him and the other rookies all the best,” Kimi Raikkonen concluded, as reported by the official Formula 1 website.

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The Italian driver seems to be on the right track to join the most important motorsport series. Mercedes is betting heavily on him to replace the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and according to the latest rumors, the announcement of his signing could come at the end of the summer break.

Oliver Bearman’s comments

Interviewed by Sky Sport F1, Oliver Bearman said: “We have always followed each other and built our careers at the same time. I’ve known Kimi for a long time, we’ve raced a bit in F4, a lot in the simulator, and now we are teammates in Formula 2. I hope he also makes it to F1 because he deserves it. One day I hope to be able to fight for a world championship with him because I think that’s what we both aim for.” – the British driver admitted.

The Ferrari Driver Academy youngster debuted in Formula 1 this year when he was called at the last minute to replace Carlos Sainz, who was unable to take to the track due to appendicitis. At the Jeddah circuit in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Brit brought the SF-24 car to points in his first career Formula 1 race, on one of the most difficult and challenging circuits in the world. Speaking about that weekend, Ollie Bearman added: “I believe Ferrari is one of the most iconic brands in the world, obviously in racing and Formula 1. If you draw a car, you make it red. It is a brand that is synonymous with racing, victories, successes, and also fantastic drivers.”

“Debuting with Ferrari is something that hasn’t happened in a long time, and becoming the youngest Ferrari driver was something very special for me. Naturally, I want to win the world championship, and doing it with Ferrari is my dream. They have supported me since 2021. They saw something in me from the beginning. They decided to trust me, and even just putting me behind the wheel in Jeddah was a big risk on Ferrari’s part. This shows that they believe in me, that they have confidence in my abilities, and naturally one day I would like to win a championship with them.” – Oliver Bearman concluded.

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