Lewis Hamilton left a heartfelt handwritten note for Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, which the young driver is set to read in full for the first time this weekend at the Imola Grand Prix. The message, written after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last year, was Hamilton’s way of welcoming Antonelli to the driver room that he is passing on as he prepares to move to Ferrari in 2025. With Mercedes using the same motorhome for European races, this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marks the moment when Antonelli will finally experience Hamilton’s personal farewell.
The gesture has offered a rare glimpse into the emotional side of Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, beyond his fierce competitiveness on the track. Mercedes’ race team coordinator, Stephen Lord, shared the story behind the note and what it meant to Hamilton in a recent interview with Beyond The Grid. Lord described how the moment unfolded, revealing the turbulent mix of emotions Hamilton felt as he prepared to leave behind a chapter of his career.
Lord said. After the race in Monza, the final European round, Hamilton completed his engineering debrief in the team’s race base. The top floor has an engineering suite and private rooms for drivers furnished with massage beds and their personal equipment, along with bathrooms. Hamilton finished his session and left the engineers, spending some quiet moments alone in the room.
As Hamilton was heading downstairs to leave, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and went back upstairs. Lord initially assumed Hamilton had forgotten something, but the champion returned after about ten minutes, visibly emotional. Hamilton then pulled over Carlos, head of race team logistics, revealing that the reality of never returning to that familiar room had just hit him hard.
After Hamilton departed, Lord went upstairs to check the room and discovered the note. It was a long, handwritten message addressed to Kimi Antonelli, offering a warm welcome and wishing him the best of luck in his new role. Hamilton’s words praised the team’s dedication and urged Antonelli to care for them in turn, promising that the team would respond with support and respect.
Lord recalled.
The team has now protected the note behind glass inside the room, ensuring that Hamilton’s message remains a permanent part of the space.
Hamilton also left a more playful mark in the bathroom, demonstrating his lighter, humorous side amid the emotional farewell. As Lord explained, beside the toilet roll holder was a message that read, “Lewis was here,” accompanied by a big smiley face.
Lord shared. Despite the fun note, the sincere letter to Antonelli stands out as a poignant reminder of Hamilton’s strong connection to the team and the personal significance of passing the torch to the next generation.
This emotional moment reveals the complex feelings Hamilton faces as his career enters a new phase. Leaving behind a space filled with years of memories, victories, and challenges, Hamilton has shown vulnerability and depth beyond his well-known public persona. His note to Antonelli is more than a farewell; it is a gesture of encouragement and trust, wrapped in a mixture of anxiety and hope for the future.
The transition carries meaning not just for Hamilton and Antonelli but for the entire Mercedes team and Formula 1 fans worldwide. With Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025 and Antonelli stepping into the spotlight, this handover marks a pivotal moment that will shape the sport’s landscape in the coming years. The gesture also pressures the young driver, symbolizing the heavy expectations placed on him to uphold the high standards set by his predecessor.
As the Imola Grand Prix approaches, the revelation of this note adds a new layer of intrigue and emotion to the race weekend. It highlights the human side of Formula 1, where behind the speed and spectacle, profound stories of change, legacy, and personal struggle unfold quietly off the track. Watching how Antonelli processes and responds to Hamilton’s message will offer valuable insight into the pressures and promises that come with following in the footsteps of a legend.
