Kimi Antonelli given advice by Ferrari driver ahead of Monza FP1 outing

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his long-awaited debut on a Formula 1 race weekend when he drives for Mercedes in first practice for the Italian Grand Prix.

Antonelli will drive alongside seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton during the session at Monza during his first outing with the world watching.

The Italian driver has been ultra-impressive throughout his Formula 2 season and has begun to build momentum after a difficult start.

The 18-year-old is on the verge of becoming a full-time Formula 1 driver next season, replacing Hamilton as Mercedes look to promote their protege.

Luca Badoer has given Andrea Kimi Antonelli advice ahead of FP1 at Monza

Luca Badoer has driven many laps for Ferrari over his career on test days and started in 50 races, including a forgettable two-race stint with the Italian team in 2009.

He failed to score a point in Formula 1 but has been passing on his vast wealth of knowledge to Antonelli ahead of his first practice session at Monza.

Antonelli has already completed multiple test days in slightly older Mercedes cars, on tracks including the Red Bull Ring and Imola.

Speaking on the Pit Pass F1 podcast, journalist Julianne Cerasoli explained that Badoer had given his compatriot guidance before the FP1 session.

She said: “I saw the 18-year-old having to run to the driver’s briefing, the Formula 2 driver’s briefing, after stopping for pictures and for a chat with the eternal Ferrari test driver, Luca Badoer.

“Luca was giving him some tips about the track because he’s going to drive the Mercedes car during FP1 this Friday.

“You would expect him to be a bit nervous about this big weekend, but if he is, he’s hiding it very well. He’s very laid back, as always, with time for everyone.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is likely to partner George Russell at Mercedes in 2025

Antonelli’s performances in testing and blistering speed throughout his junior career have made him a contender to replace Hamilton at Mercedes.

He would become the youngest driver on the grid and the move would be a gamble for the German team heading into 2025.

The Italian will inevitably make rookie mistakes and will be immediately under pressure at the front of the field, expected to deliver results.

Antonelli will be moving straight into a top team without starting further down the order, as Russell did, spending three years at Williams before moving to Mercedes.