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Lewis Hamilton says Kimi Antonelli has a better support network at Mercedes than he had at McLaren during his rookie Formula 1 season.
The Italian is dominating the field in 2026, winning the last four races in a row. Antonelli claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix over Hamilton and Max Verstappen after George Russell suffered a battery failure on lap 30.
He is establishing himself as a real title contender, leading the standings by 43 points after the Canadian GP. Mercedes are keeping Antonelli close and managing him throughout his championship charge, and Hamilton says he did not have the same feeling at McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton says Kimi Antonelli has more support at Mercedes than he did at McLaren in 2007
Hamilton recalled his ‘welcome to F1’ moment with Ron Dennis back in 2006. The McLaren boss told him he would be getting his shot with McLaren in 2007 after winning the GP2 title.
It would be an extremely tight and challenging season, with the then-22-year-old losing the title by one point to Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton had to work twice as hard as Fernando Alonso at McLaren, and he feels that he did not get the same support as Antonelli is getting now.
Speaking during the post-race press conference at the Canadian GP, Hamilton was asked if he had any advice for Antonelli. He admitted that the Italian has the right support around him, something that he did not feel back in 2007.
Should Lewis Hamilton regret leaving Mercedes for Ferrari?
“I think you forget that we’re competitors. He’s already doing a great job. I’m not going to give him any more pointers!” he said.
“I mean, I think just for me personally, 2007 was the one I was fighting for. It was a lot. I was a little bit older than you, I was 22. I think things were different back then. It feels like it was just different back then.
“I don’t think I had the same support system that he has, for example, today in a place that I worked at and worked in. Toto did a great job of surrounding you with the right support, and I definitely didn’t feel that.
“The team were nice and everything but there wasn’t the right elements around to support you, to help you stay stable and guide you. And it was pretty intense, especially in my first year. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Max Verstappen offers advice to Kimi Antonelli in 2026 title fight
Red Bull driver Verstappen was asked the same question, having also been in plenty title fights throughout his F1 career.
The four-time champion lauded the job Antonelli is currently doing, and told him that he has to continue maximising his package.
Are Kimi Antonelli’s F1 title chances higher or lower than 70%?
Verstappen added: “I mean, he’s clearly doing a great job. And of course a championship is long and they’re won by just being consistent, not making mistakes.
“But he knows that, so every weekend you just need to try and maximise, try and be better than your teammate, and then I’m sure that he has a good chance. But long way to go. But what he’s doing right now is working really well.”
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