Wrong to say I’m replacing Hamilton - Antonelli

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli says it’s not right to view him as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, given the seven-time world champion’s stature within Formula 1. Antonelli will make his F1 debut this year at just 18 years old, partnering George Russell at Mercedes following Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari. Despite being signed to take the seat Hamilton has vacated, the Italian says he doesn’t view himself as a direct replacement as they are both at opposing points in their careers. “I feel like I’m just a new Mercedes driver,” Antonelli told Sky Sports. “Saying that I’m replacing Lewis Hamilton I don’t think is really correct because he’s such a big figure in the sport and he has done so much. I feel like I’m just the next Mercedes driver and really want to make my way and achieve great results and be successful.” Antonelli has been fast-tracked into an F1 seat with Mercedes, having been racing in Formula Regional just two seasons ago. Jumping up to Formula 2 last year, Antonelli has done significant testing of previous car (TPC) running, and says he will have ambitious targets but is aware how challenging his rookie year could be. “It’s not going to be easy because my first year in F1, at the end of the day I’m racing against the 19 best drivers in the world. And of course the world of motorsport, F1 especially, can be very brutal sometimes. But the thing is, I’m just going to try to stay focused on myself, try to work day by day, weekend by weekend trying to improve myself. “Of course, the mindset is going to be the one of trying to go on track and win, and then we’ll see. I have good people around me that especially in these moments, they really try to help me to ignore all the external things and always be focused on the moment.” Antonelli will be one of six drivers making starting their first full-time seasons in Formula 1 in Melbourne this March, joining Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto as new permanent additions to the grid.