Kimi Antonelli has revealed the recommendation Lewis Hamilton gave him amid an emotional weekend on the Belgian Grand Prix.
Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian who changed Hamilton at Mercedes this season, has endured a tough run of F1 races since ending on the rostrum in Canada final month, retiring from two grands prix and ending sixteenth at Spa on Sunday.
Previous to Sunday’s race, Hamilton was noticed leaving the Mercedes motorhome as he paid Antonelli, 22 years his junior, a supportive go to.
Antonelli was emotional within the media pen after being knocked out in Q1 of qualifying on Saturday and, a day later, the Italian revealed what Hamilton stated to him amid a tough interval.
“He got here to say hello to the staff and positively we had a few phrases,” Antonelli stated. “He was telling me to maintain my head up and that it’s regular to have unhealthy weekends.
“And to simply hold believing. It was very nice.”
Hamilton, who was arguably the final driver to make his F1 debut with a high staff with McLaren in 2007, threw his assist behind {the teenager}.
“I can’t think about what it’s like at 18, or attempt to think about what it’s like at 18, to do what he’s doing,” Ferrari driver Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“He’s been doing improbable. However to be thrown in on the deep finish at 18… he hadn’t even had his driving licence when he first began racing.
“I feel it is quite a bit on somebody’s shoulders. He is doing an amazing job and he is acquired an amazing group of individuals round him. So, I feel you’ve got simply acquired to take it in your stride, which I feel he’s.
“And he is acquired Bono [Peter Bonnington, who used to work with Hamilton] by his aspect. He does not have anybody higher.”
Hamilton joked in Thursday’s press convention that he might assist Antonelli “work” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, because the Italian eyes a brand new contract with the Silver Arrows.
Wolff, with Max Verstappen set to remain at Crimson Bull for 2026, admitted it’s now his “precedence” to maintain his present driver line-up of Antonelli and George Russell for subsequent 12 months.
Antonelli is seventh on the planet championship after 13 races, 94 factors behind teammate Russell.
