Damon Hill delivers Kimi Antonelli verdict and names two F1 rookies who still have ‘more to prove’

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Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been one of the stars of the show at the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Although Lando Norris took victory in the Sprint Race in Brazil and then went on to secure pole position at Interlagos, Kimi Antonelli has been his closest rival across the weekend.

Mercedes are in the midst of a fight for second in the constructors’ championship with Ferrari and Red Bull.

George Russell has led that charge throughout the campaign, but at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, it looks like Antonelli is the best of the rest behind Norris.

The 19-year-old started and finished Saturday’s Sprint Race in second, the best result of his Formula 1 career, and he’ll start on the front row alongside Norris for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

It’s the latest world-class performance from a rookie this season, following on from Oliver Bearman finishing fourth in Mexico City and Isack Hadjar securing a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Antonelli was annoyed that he couldn’t pass Norris at the end of the Sprint Race, but he’ll have another opportunity to win his first F1 race on Sunday.

F1 world champion Damon Hill loved what he saw during a mixed-up qualifying session in Brazil, and gave his verdict on all of the rookies currently on the grid.

READ MORE: Brazilian Grand Prix race predictions as F1 experts decide if Lando Norris will extend championship lead

Damon Hill says he’s ‘still not sure’ about Kimi Antonelli after Brazilian Grand Prix performance

Hill posted on X after a fascinating qualifying session that saw Red Bull star Max Verstappen eliminated in Q1, and Lewis Hamilton failed to reach the top 10 shootout.

He said: “’New’ drivers who excite me with their performances and impress me with their demeanour; Ollie Bearman and Isack Hadjar.

“Still not sure about Antonelli, but he’s getting there. Bortoleto and Colapinto still have more to prove, but they have something good.”

Antonelli was the best performing rookie over one lap in Brazil, with Hadjar starting fifth and his Racing Bulls teammate, Liam Lawson, lining up directly behind him on the grid.

Bearman was extraordinarily fast in Q1 and Q2 but could only set the eighth-best time in Q3.

Gabriel Bortoleto had a huge crash in the Sprint Race, and Sauber were unable to repair his car in time for qualifying, meaning he’ll start last at his first home race as a Formula 1 driver.

Franco Colapinto signed a new contract with Alpine ahead of the race weekend, but he was eliminated in Q1, while teammate Pierre Gasly followed up scoring a point in the Sprint Race by reaching the top 10 shootout.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Andrea Kimi Antonelli ‘excited’ to race Lando Norris during the Brazilian Grand Prix

Antonelli has already finished on the podium during his F1 career, securing third at the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the year.

Talking about his fantastic Saturday in Brazil, the 19-year-old said: “I am really happy to be starting on the front row for tomorrow’s race.

“Qualifying was not easy with a lot of unexpected wind gusts, but we managed to put everything together from Q1 to Q3.

“We were able to put the tyres in the right window, and we did a solid job as a team, putting a good lap together at the end when it mattered.

“Throughout the weekend, I’ve been more and more comfortable with the car, and I’ve been enjoying racing on this track.

“The crowd is amazing here, and it gives a lot of energy to perform at your best.

“I was pushing hard at the end [of the Sprint Race], using the medium tyre to put Lando (Norris) under pressure. I got close but didn’t have enough speed to attempt an overtake.

“Nevertheless, that is a good sign for tomorrow’s race. I’m excited to be starting at the front, can hopefully fight the cars around us, and look to add some good points in our battle for P2 in the constructors’ championship.”