Lewis Hamilton has credited Mercedes for its ‘strategy’ with Andrea Kimi Antonelli because the Italian sits on the cusp of a historic Formulation 1 title at america Grand Prix.
Antonelli comes into the race weekend on the Circuit of the Americas on the verge of turning into the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.
The 20-year-old has loved a sensational sophomore yr with the German marque, profitable eight Grands Prix to date.
Antonelli at his former workforce, Hamilton believes a lot of the credit score goes to the management at Mercedes, with Toto Wolff creating an surroundings the place Antonelli may totally extract his potential.
“Undoubtedly, nice management,” he instructed Motorsport Week when requested if Wolff’s involvement was key to Antonelli’s 2026 successes.
“Toto is phenomenal at what he does and the surroundings he creates and the individuals he places round him.
“I additionally had an analogous type of expertise after I obtained to Mercedes, and the identical at McLaren. I do know that was a query individuals have been asking, whether or not or not I might be capable to ship, particularly alongside a double World Champion.”
Lewis Hamilton finds “similarities” with Kimi Antonelli’s F1 title strategy
Hamilton, who received six drivers’ titles with Mercedes between 2013 and 2024, isn’t any stranger to explosive sophomore seasons.
The Ferrari driver received his maiden F1 title on the age of 23, driving for McLaren in 2008.
Hamilton believes Antonelli has the proper group of individuals round him who’ve helped the 20-year-old to finish the title “puzzle”.
The Briton likened this to his personal adolescence within the sport as he noticed a number of similarities with how Antonelli has been in a position to develop his craft out on monitor.
“I see similarities between how my first yr and first couple of years went and the way Kimi has approached this yr,” Hamilton added.
“Nevertheless it’s not one thing only one particular person randomly does.
“You additionally need to have these items of the puzzle round you, supporting you.
“I used to be very fortunate to have that at McLaren, and it’s nice that he has it there.”
Antonelli may stroll away from Austin because the 2026 F1 World Champion if he wins the US GP, along with his teammate George Russell ending ninth or decrease and Hamilton taking the chequered flag in no place increased than fifth.
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