Thrust into Lewis Hamilton's seat, Kimi Antonelli rises to conquer F1

In 2018, Kimi Antonelli was an eight-year-old grid boy at the Italian Grand Prix. He had been assigned to Lewis Hamilton, one of the drivers he admired most. Before the race, the youngster managed to catch the Mercedes driver's attention."Remember, you're the best, you can win this," Antonelli recalled telling Hamilton.Hamilton's heir. #F1 https://t.co/EBcLLUZsvN— Formula 1 (@F1) August 31, 2024Hamilton went on to win that afternoon. Eight years later, Antonelli found himself occupying the very seat his childhood hero had left behind. There was one significant difference. He wasn't there to cheer Hamilton on anymore. He was now the man expected to carry Mercedes forward.At 20, Antonelli has become Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion. His title triumph in Mexico City came in just his second season, capping a journey that began with enormous expectations and plenty of scepticism. A FIVE-MINUTE DECISIONAntonelli didn't get the gradual introduction to Formula 1 that many young drivers enjoy. There was no season at a junior team like Racing Bulls, where he could learn the demands of the sport away from the spotlight.Mercedes put him straight into its senior team. His teammate was George Russell, an established race winner, while the seat itself came with the burden of replacing Hamilton. The seven-time world champion had won six drivers' titles with Mercedes between 2013 and 2024. Filling his shoes was never going to be straightforward, especially for an 18-year-old making his debut.Yet Toto Wolff didn't need much time to decide who should take over.When Hamilton informed him that he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari, the team principal had his mind made up within five minutes. Toto Wolff decided in five minutes that Kimi Antonelli would replace Lewis Hamilton. (Image: Reuters) "I made up my mind five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me that he's going to Ferrari," Wolff revealed in an interview with Formula1.com.Mercedes considered other options, including Max Verstappen, but Wolff trusted the young driver the team had been developing since 2018."We were convinced of his talent before. It was a question of maturity. Now we are prepared to take the risk on maturity in terms of the pressure of F1," Wolff said.It was a bold call. Not everyone agreed.A clear successor which certainly worked out! #F1 #MexicoGP https://t.co/syD7KTs7KL— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026Former team owner Eddie Jordan questioned whether Antonelli had earned the right to drive for Mercedes. Jacques Villeneuve felt the promotion had come too soon. Others wondered whether the teenager was ready to handle the scrutiny that came with replacing a seven-time champion.TALENT WAS NEVER THE QUESTIONMercedes' faith in Antonelli wasn't without reason. He had been a standout in karting before moving into single-seaters in 2021. Italian and German Formula 4 titles followed, along with championships in Formula Regional.His progress was so impressive that Mercedes moved him directly into Formula 2, bypassing Formula 3. Charles Leclerc, who had watched his development closely, was among those impressed."If I look at Kimi going through the junior ranks, I think it was quite clear for everybody that he had something very special," Leclerc said.The talent was there. Handling the attention was another matter.Antonelli's first appearance in an F1 race weekend came at Monza in 2024. Driving for Mercedes in practice, he crashed heavily in front of his home crowd. The team didn't lose faith and confirmed him as Hamilton's replacement shortly afterwards.His rookie season in 2025 offered glimpses of what he could become. He became the youngest driver to take a Sprint pole in Miami and collected three podiums. But consistency proved harder to find.Rewriting history We have a new youngest-ever Drivers' Champion. Take a bow, Kimi Antonelli #F1 #MexicoGP https://t.co/zeU9lCeKX0— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026Mistakes and a difficult run through the European races prompted Wolff to describe some of his performances as underwhelming. Antonelli finished seventh in the championship with 150 points, less than half Russell's tally.For someone who had spent years being tipped for greatness, it was a difficult adjustment."I let the pressure kind of destroy me as well during that period, because I felt like I was letting down so many people who had believed in me," Antonelli admitted.It was an honest assessment. He had spent much of his young career being told how good he could become. Now he was discovering how difficult it was to live up to those expectations.MAKING HIS OWN HISTORYThe winter break gave Antonelli time to reset. When the 2026 season began, questions remained about whether he could match Russell over a full campaign.A heavy practice crash in Australia offered little reassurance. He finished second behind his teammate in the opening race, but the next weekend changed everything.At the Chinese Grand Prix, Antonelli fought past Hamilton at the start and pulled away from the seven-time champion. Russell and Charles Leclerc were left battling for second as the Italian took control at the front.When he crossed the finish line, Antonelli struggled to contain his emotions. He had become the second-youngest race winner in F1 history.That victory was the start of a remarkable season. He went on to win nine Grands Prix, established himself as the championship favourite and delivered when the pressure was highest.His home race at Monza provided another memorable moment. Starting 19th after an engine penalty, Antonelli fought through the field to claim victory in front of the Italian crowd.Once he started winning, there was just no stopping him... He did it! #F1 #MexicoGP https://t.co/15ClcOXGzy— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026By the time Formula 1 arrived in Mexico City, the teenager whose promotion had once been questioned was within touching distance of the title. A third-place finish was enough to seal it, making him the youngest world champion the sport has ever seen.There will always be comparisons with Hamilton, Verstappen and the other champions who came before him. That is part of the territory when a driver arrives at Mercedes with so much expectation attached to his name.But Antonelli no longer needs to live in anyone's shadow. Eight years ago, he stood on the Monza grid and told Hamilton he was the best. Now, he has reached the top himself.- Ends