Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is positioning himself for his first Formula 1 world championship in only his second season, having learned key lessons from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and four-time champion Max Verstappen. The Italian has taken eight grand prix victories compared to three for teammate George Russell, including a dominant streak of five consecutive wins from China to Monaco.
Antonelli praised both champions for rewriting Formula 1 history, with Hamilton establishing the sport's legacy and Verstappen continuing that tradition. He specifically highlighted Verstappen's superior restart technique during the Malaysia race, noting how the Red Bull driver positioned his car better and showed superior grip feeling in challenging wet conditions.
The Mercedes driver also learned from Hamilton's mentality of maintaining focus and pursuing the best possible result even when circumstances turn difficult. Antonelli described this as a consistent trait Hamilton has demonstrated throughout many years of competition, calling it valuable guidance for his own development.
In Malaysia, Antonelli finished second to Verstappen while Hamilton recovered from early difficulties to claim third place, creating a podium that showcased three different generations of championship-caliber talent. The result strengthened Antonelli's championship position as he approaches what could be his maiden Formula 1 title.