Lewis Hamilton News: F1 Champ warned Mercedes replacement ahead of shocking debut

Mercedes

Major Hamilton warning emerges after Mercedes replacement's SHOCKING F1 debut

Kimi Antonelli was involved in a huge crash at Monza on Friday

Tuesday 3 September 2024 01:00

A warning from seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton to Andrea Kimi Antonelli surfaced this weekend following the latter's shocking start to his Mercedes career.

Antonelli - a young Italian and Mercedes junior star - has been confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for next season when he heads to Ferrari for 2025 and beyond.

However, whilst the Italian would have been hoping for a smooth run out in his debut F1 session, which came during FP1 at Monza ahead of the announcement, things transpired very differently, with Antonelli bringing out a red flag early on after a huge crash at Parabolica.

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Fortunately, Antonelli was physically unharmed and able to climb out of his car independently, however, his confidence has likely taken a bruising.

Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025

Andrea Kimi Antonelli just before heading out for FP1 at Monza

Lewis Hamilton's Kimi Antonelli warning

Most recently, Antonelli tested the 2022 Mercedes F1 car after the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

Ahead of his drive in the 2024 car this weekend, however, Lewis Hamilton warned the Italian that this year's car was 'drastically different' to their 2022 effort. This was meant positively, but perhaps the stark difference between the two could explain Antonelli's incident.

“For Kimi tomorrow it’s just about enjoying himself and having fun. It’s going to be an experience for him," Hamilton said in an FIA press conference ahead of the weekend.

“He’s obviously been testing but tomorrow will be the first time testing this car, which is so much nicer than the 2022 car so he’s going to be all smiles tomorrow for sure.

"It’s a pretty drastic difference. The more information and input we get, the better.”

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Monza Andrea Kimi Antonelli