David Croft backs Kimi Antonelli to match unforgettable Lewis Hamilton feat on Mercedes debut

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Kimi Antonelli has been chosen to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this season. Rather than signing a proven race-winner like Carlos Sainz, Toto Wolff has promoted a teenager from his academy.

Critics would argue that Wolff is putting Antonelli under extreme pressure. He directly follows the most successful driver, and biggest name, in F1 history.

Hamilton won 84 races and six world championships with Mercedes. It is, quite literally, the toughest act to follow.

But the 40-year-old inadvertently did him a favour last year. He left the Silver Arrows on the back of his poorest F1 season to date.

George Russell thrashed Hamilton 19-5 in qualifying, one of the most one-sided margins on the grid. It’s conceivable that Antonelli will offer an upgrade on a Saturday.

Hamilton also finished behind Russell in the championship, though the gap was only 22 points. Antonelli may find it difficult to get that close to a three-time race-winner entering his fourth year with the team.

David Croft thinks Kimi Antonelli can finish on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix

Antonelli will make his official debut at the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March. And Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft thinks he can make an instant impression.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Autosport awards, Croft was asked to make a bold prediction for the new season. And he backed Antonelli to score a podium in his first race.

He would be the youngest driver ever to do so, breaking the record set by Max Verstappen at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen scored a remarkable victory in what was his first race for Red Bull.

Back in 2007, Hamilton finished third on debut at Albert Park. It would certainly be a ‘good omen’ if Antonelli matched that feat.

“Biggest surprise this season?” Croft said. “Kimi Antonelli gets a podium in Australia. He could do it. He wouldn’t be the first rookie to go to Australia on his first attempt, would he? It’d be a good omen!”

Toto Wolff has already disagreed with David Croft about Mercedes signing Kimi Antonelli

Antonelli’s idol is Ayrton Senna, even though he never saw him race. He wants to achieve ‘a little piece’ of what Senna managed.

• READ MORE: George Russell has already seen the evidence that Kimi Antonelli can succeed where Lewis Hamilton failed

The Brazilian won three world championships during his career, but even he had to wait before jumping into a frontrunning car. Antonelli has earned a rare privilege.

But Mercedes are trying to downplay expectations. Toto Wolff has called 2025 a ‘transition’ year for Antonelli, which suggests he isn’t expecting any spectacular results.