Ted Kravitz suggests Kimi Antonelli has now changed his mind about racing Lewis Hamilton in 2025

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At the start of the 2025 season, one would have been forgiven for saying that Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton would be worlds apart come the end of the year.

After all, the latter is a seven-time champion and was joining Ferrari, who almost won the championship over McLaren in 2024. Meanwhile, the former is a rookie, tasked with replacing him at Mercedes and facing immense pressure to deliver results.

Before the season started, Antonelli said he was not thinking about Hamilton and was instead focused on himself, rather than who he was replacing. For both drivers, 2025 has proven to be tough for different reasons.

Sum up Lewis Hamilton’s debut season at Ferrari in one word…

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Hamilton has struggled to adapt to his surroundings in Maranello, often complaining about the car and Ferrari’s operations. He is without a podium in 2025 heading into the season finale.

After a strong start to the season, including a P4 finish from 16th on debut, Antonelli struggled immensely in Europe. His maiden podium in Canada was overshadowed by seven non-points finishes in Zandvoort, with rookie errors and mechanical faults hampering him.

But in recent races, the Italian has turned a corner with more consistent results. With two podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas, he is now on the heels of his predecessor.

Kimi Antonelli did not want to think about Lewis Hamilton in 2025, now he ‘really wants’ to beat him

After finishing P5 in Qatar, following a mistake on the penultimate lap, Antonelli is now just two points behind Hamilton in the standings, who could only manage 12th for Ferrari.

Speaking after the race, pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz said that Antonelli ‘really wants’ to beat Hamilton in the standings. It would suggest a change in mentality; he has gone from not worrying about the seven-time champion to having the drive to usurp him in the championship.

Kravitz said via Ted’s Notebook: “Lando closed on Kimi Antonelli, looked like he wasn’t going to get the young Italian, but then Kimi Antonelli went wide, had a wobble, made a mistake, ruined his race somewhat, but that allowed Lando through.

“Toto Wolff said that it’s obviously a mistake and if anyone at Red Bull doubts it, we can show them the telemetry because Kimi Antonelli was in a big fight for himself

“And had he finished in that position ahead of Lando Norris today, Kimi Antonelli would have overtaken Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship, and that’s what he really wants to do. But he didn’t do that today. So Lewis is still ahead by a couple of points.”

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Can Kimi Antonelli beat Lewis Hamilton in 2025?

Hamilton has offered advice to Antonelli throughout 2025, telling him not to pay attention to the noise around him. It seems it is paying off as the Italian enters a strong run of form to end the season.

Sitting just two points behind the 40-year-old, it would be some feat for Antonelli to beat Hamilton in the standings. It would also highlight how disastrous the Brit’s first year at Ferrari has been as he struggles to find any results.

Hamilton will hope to end the season on a high, but given his current form, it is hard to see him performing strongly in Abu Dhabi, while Antonelli is carrying the momentum.

Antonelli has already beaten Hamilton’s rookie points record, although that is a contentious issue given the differing time periods. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old coming out on top out of the two would be some accomplishment.