Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli shared a sweet moment in Melbourne (Image: Getty)
shared some heartwarming moments with his replacement, , during the press conference. The Italian teenager will make his F1 debut in Melbourne this weekend at the age of 18. Hamilton is also bracing for a debut at age 40.
The seven-time world champion will make his first start for on Sunday after ending a 12-year career at the end of the 2024 campaign. As the field converges in the final year of the regulations period, and Hamilton have a golden chance to return to championship-winning ways, although with looking very strong after pre-season testing, this will be no mean feat.
The two drivers at opposite ends of their careers sat side-by-side at the media day press conference in Melbourne, and both were in high spirits. “I mean, first of all, it feels pretty surreal to be able to race with someone such as Lewis,” Antonelli said.
“I have been growing up, and once I joined , looking at him. He’s been incredibly successful. It feels kind of weird that I am going to be sharing the track with him but also with Carlos [Sainz], all of the drivers at the end of the day.
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Antonelli will make his F1 debut on Sunday (Image: Getty)
“When you’re used to seeing them on TV, you are finally able to share the track with them. It’s an incredible feeling. Last year, I have been doing some trackside, and at the end of the season, I am starting to work with the team. Lewis has always been nice to me and also given me some advice.
“And also, you [Hamilton] wrote a message in the driver’s room? I will be able to see it pretty soon. He’s been really nice to me, and I am really grateful to that because it shows he’s not only a great driver but a great person.”
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Hamilton and Antonelli will both have big aspirations heading into their first seasons with their respective teams, but the close pecking order coming out of pre-season makes it hard to set expectations in Melbourne.
For Antonelli, the early part of the campaign will be a matter of laying down laps and staying out of trouble. The Bologna-born starlet has and Valtteri Bottas guiding him behind the scenes as he adapts to the cut-throat world of F1.