Lewis Hamilton visited the Mercedes team to motivate Kimi Antonelli shortly before the 2024 F1 Belgian Grand Prix, reinforcing support as Antonelli navigates his rookie season. This visit came amid Antonelli’s transition into the Mercedes seat for 2025, succeeding the seven-time world champion Hamilton, who announced his surprising departure from the team.
Antonelli, an Italian driver, has showcased moments of strong performance during his debut Formula 1 season, including securing pole position for the Miami sprint race and achieving his first podium finish in Canada. Despite these early successes, the young driver and Mercedes have faced challenges since the European season began, with both Antonelli and teammate George Russell experiencing a decline in results.
Encouragement from Hamilton and Its Impact on Antonelli
Following the race at Spa, Antonelli shared details about his conversation with Hamilton within the Mercedes hospitality area. The seven-time world champion offered reassurance and advice to the rookie:
“He came to say hi to the team, and definitely, we had a couple of words,” Antonelli recalled.
“He was telling me to keep my head up and that it’s normal to have bad weekends. And just to keep believing. It was really nice.” —Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes rookie driver
Hamilton also spoke about Antonelli in a post-race interview with Sky Sports, acknowledging the immense pressure on an 18-year-old in such a demanding sport. Hamilton praised Antonelli’s performances and the support he receives from his team.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like at 18 – or try to imagine what it’s like at 18 – to do what he’s doing,” Hamilton said.
“He’s been doing fantastic. But to be thrown in at the deep end at 18… he hadn’t even had his driving licence when he first started racing.”
“I think it’s a lot on someone’s shoulders. He’s doing a great job and he’s got a great group of people around him. So, I think you’ve just got to take it in your stride, which I think he is.”
“And he’s got Bono [race engineer Peter Bonnington, who formerly worked with Hamilton] by his side. He doesn’t have anyone better.” —Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 driver
Struggles Continue for Antonelli at Belgian GP
The Belgian Grand Prix weekend proved difficult for Antonelli as he was eliminated in the first round of both qualifying sessions, Q1. The young driver expressed frustration over not being able to fully demonstrate his speed due to traffic during the runs.
“Those few laps where I was in free air I definitely had a lot more fun,” Antonelli commented.
“Then being stuck is quite frustrating, because you can’t really unleash the real pace you have. Once I was stuck, I was two seconds slower all of a sudden.”
“It was tricky, but I think I shouldn’t be starting that far back. I think I need to work on my qualifying and work to get the confidence back with the car in order to start more at the front. Because in those races where I started more at the front, it was a completely different story.” —Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes rookie driver
Outlook for Antonelli and Mercedes as the Season Progresses
While Antonelli’s rookie year has been marked by promising moments and challenges, Hamilton’s visit and encouragement highlight the team’s commitment to supporting their young talent amid a tough season. Mercedes, grappling with a dip in competitiveness this European campaign, will look to both Antonelli and Russell to regain consistent form in the remaining races.
With race engineer Peter Bonnington by Antonelli’s side and guidance from experienced figures like Hamilton, the rookie aims to rebuild confidence and improve qualifying performance. How Antonelli adapts to these demands could shape his development and Mercedes’ future on the grid as the 2024 season continues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton openly shares his passion for veganism. He also invests in businesses that focus on plant-based products.
Q. Why did Lewis Hamilton quit?
A. Hamilton is said to have moved from Mercedes to Ferrari as they promised him a longer contract and a higher salary. Additionally, he had not won any races in 2022 or 2023 and wanted to improve his career with a fresh team.
Q. Why is Lewis Hamilton so rich?
A. Forbes listed him among the highest-earning athletes of 2025, with total earnings of $80 million. His income increased after joining Scuderia Ferrari, the oldest and most successful F1 team, this year. Sponsorship roles with Lululemon and Dior also contributed to his boosted earnings.
Q. Max Verstappen: Who has the bigger net worth in 2025? Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth of $300 million, surpasses Max Verstappen’s $200 million. Hamilton’s wealth is from Formula 1 earnings, endorsements, smart investments, and properties.
A. Is Max Verstappen wealthier than Lewis Hamilton?
