Kimi Antonelli names which F1 driver he ‘likes a lot’ alongside Lewis Hamilton

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Kimi Antonelli is poised to join the Formula 1 grid with Mercedes in 2025. Carlos Sainz was his main rival for the seat, but he’s now signed for Williams instead.

If indeed Toto Wolff does offer Antonelli an F1 contract, he will become the youngest driver in the sport at 18. Prema teammate Oliver Bearman has already signed a deal with Haas, but he’ll be almost 20 by next March.

And unlike Bearman, Antonelli will be going up against seasoned superstars at the front of the field. George Russell will be entering his fourth year at Mercedes, with Wolff no doubt looking to him as a team leader.

The Silver Arrows will fancy their chances of competing for the title next year. After making a long-awaited breakthrough with their concept, they have won three of the last four Grands Prix.

The natural convergence of the field under this ruleset will be complete come 2025, which gives the top four teams hope of mounting a challenge. That will significantly increase the pressure on Antonelli.

He will no doubt end up going wheel-to-wheel with predecessor Lewis Hamilton on multiple occasions. And there will be duels with the likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris too.

Kimi Antonelli namechecks Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as F1 inspirations

Speaking live on the Formula 2 Instagram page over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Antonelli was asked to name his F1 idol. He revealed that it was Ayrton Senna, the three-time world champion.

Senna lost his life at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, 12 years before Antonelli was born. The very fact that the Italian worships him is a testament to his legacy.

As for the current field, Antonelli picked out Hamilton and Verstappen as his inspirations. Between them, they have won 10 world championships (soon to be 11 in all likelihood) and 166 races.

“Well he is my idol, and he’s Ayrton Senna,” Antonelli said. “Of the current drivers, the drivers I like a lot are Verstappen and Hamilton.”

There’s a possibility that Antonelli could end up as the former’s teammate in the future. Verstappen has an exit clause ahead of the 2026 regulation changes, and Mercedes will likely be his leading suitor if he decides to leave Red Bull.

The only scenario where Antonelli makes Williams debut this year

There has been talk for much of the season that Mercedes could parachute Antonelli into F1 before 2025. The summer break would appear to be the ideal juncture to do so, giving the teenager some time to adapt to his new surroundings before racing at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The standout destination would be Williams. The Grove outfit purchase Mercedes power units, and their team principal James Vowles oversaw Antonelli’s development during his time at Brackley.

Furthermore, Logan Sargeant has underperformed this season, raising doubts about his immediate future. However, Williams will only accept Antonelli if it benefits them, and they may not see the best of him over a 10-race stint.

In his statement announcing Sainz, Vowles also hinted that Sargeant will see out the season. Now that they’ve officially replaced him, Williams may feel an obligation to honour the American’s contract.