Kimi Antonelli shares what Lewis Hamilton told him before his Mercedes FP1 debut at Monza

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The Italian Grand Prix saw a weekend of firsts with two drivers making debuts on Friday.

After an underwhelming year and a half, Williams handed Franco Colapinto his chance after dropping Logan Sargeant for Monza.

The Argentinian was one position off matching Sargeant’s best finish of the season although it’s yet to be seen how he’ll perform at trickier circuits coming up.

Kimi Antonelli finally stepping into a Mercedes Formula 1 car in public drew the most attention in the paddock during FP1.

Mercedes confirmed Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement on Saturday after a brief but eventful debut in the car.

READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything to know

Speaking to the Formula 1 website, Antonelli shared the advice he was given by Hamilton before his first outing.

Hamilton has been very complimentary about the 18-year-old Italian and expects him to perform very well from 2025 onwards.

Whether he can handle the pressure of driving for a team who are now consistently fighting for podiums and wins is one thing and Antonelli will need to learn the limits of the car quickly.

What Lewis Hamilton said to Kimi Antonelli before his Mercedes debut at Monza

Antonelli headed straight out of the garage when FP1 started and quickly set the fastest lap of the session.

Hamilton took that crown off him and on the Italian’s second push lap, he was set to match the other Mercedes driver’s time.

However, he carried too much speed into the final hairpin and Antonelli suffered a big crash that brought out the red flag as a result.

Talking after the incident, Antonelli said: “I have to be honest, no one can ever replace Lewis because he’s such a great driver, such a great figure in the sport.

“He’s been helpful. Before my FP1, he came to me, gave me a high five and told me to enjoy as much as possible.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

“During weekends, sometimes we catch up, talk a bit about how the session goes and sometimes he gives me advice – like to keep working hard and believe in yourself because your time will come.

“He’s such a great guy – and I’m really thankful to have built a relationship with him. He’s such a great driver and super nice as well.”

Why Mercedes rate Kimi Antonelli so highly after rewarding him with 2025 F1 seat

On the face of this season, Antonelli isn’t the most exciting prospect in Formula 2 this season.

That award could go to Isack Hadjar or Gabriel Bortoleto who are both fighting for a promotion to F1 this season.

Antonelli is incredibly highly rated by Mercedes even though he’s not challenging for the F2 title this year.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

He’s won a host of junior titles and skipped Formula 3 to race in F2 this year with Joshua Durksen the other driver on the grid to take that step.

Antonelli impressed in Spa with his overtaking and secured fantastic wins in Hungary and Great Britain which means he’s got a significant advantage over his teammate and fellow future F1 graduate Oliver Bearman.

Toto Wolff has earmarked Antonelli for an F1 seat for some time but will understand he may need to be patient with the teenager next season.