Mercedes Blames Hamilton Incident for Antonelli’s Struggles at Chinese Grand Prix…… read more
Mercedes has pointed to an incident involving Lewis Hamilton as the key reason for Kimi Antonelli’s difficulties during the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend. The young Italian driver, who is making his debut season in Formula 1, was reportedly affected by the situation, which impacted his performance in the race.
Antonelli, who has made a strong impression in the 2025 F1 season, has been a standout rookie, quickly becoming one of the most promising talents on the grid. The 18-year-old is one of six newcomers to F1 this season, and he has made a mark by consistently scoring points, putting him in a solid fifth position in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The Italian’s debut season has seen him overshadow several other rookies, and his impressive performances have earned him recognition. Having joined Mercedes in place of the legendary seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli has been seen by team principal Toto Wolff as the future of the Silver Arrows. Wolff has made it clear that he sees Antonelli as a driver who can eventually take the reins from Hamilton and lead the team to further successes.
However, despite a promising start to his F1 career, the Chinese Grand Prix proved to be a challenge for Antonelli. Mercedes revealed that a significant issue arose from a specific incident involving Hamilton, which they believe contributed to Antonelli’s struggles over the weekend. While the details of the incident remain unclear, it appears to have disrupted Antonelli’s race weekend and ultimately affected his performance.
Mercedes’ confidence in Antonelli’s abilities remains unwavering, as they believe he has a bright future ahead of him. The young driver has shown maturity and consistency despite the setbacks, and the team remains fully supportive of his development. Antonelli’s position in the standings continues to demonstrate his potential, and his early success in the 2025 season has only bolstered his reputation as a driver to watch.
As the season progresses, Antonelli will no doubt face more challenges, but Mercedes remains committed to guiding him through any difficulties. Despite the setback at the Chinese Grand Prix, the team is confident that Antonelli’s growth as a driver will continue, and that he will be a key figure in their futu
re success.
