Lewis Hamilton has offered a revealing insight into how he views Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, making it clear that he believes his former Mercedes team-mate faces a very different challenge from the young Italian. While Hamilton has been full of praise for Antonelli’s performances, his comments about Russell suggest he sees the championship leader operating at an entirely different level.
Antonelli is closing in on his first Formula 1 world championship, having established a commanding advantage in the 2026 Drivers’ Standings. Few people are better placed to appreciate the young Italian’s development than Hamilton, who was replaced by Antonelli at Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season.
The seven-time world champion spent Antonelli’s first year in Formula 1 watching his successor develop from a distance. However, Hamilton had already recognised the teenager’s potential during their time together at Mercedes.
Hamilton left Antonelli a personal message before joining Ferrari
Hamilton’s admiration for Antonelli goes back to the end of his Mercedes career.
Stephen Lord, Mercedes’ race team coordinator and a close ally of Hamilton, previously revealed a particularly touching gesture made by the British driver when he departed the team in 2024.
Before leaving the team’s European racing base for the final time, Hamilton returned to his driver’s room and left a handwritten letter for Antonelli, who would occupy the room the following season.
Lord recalled the moment during an appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast in December 2024.
“I walked into the room and on the wall hung a rather long, handwritten note. It was a letter to Kimi and it was actually a word of welcome to his new room.”
The message contained words of encouragement and advice about working with the Mercedes team.
Lord explained that Hamilton had written: “If you take care of them, they will take care of you, because it is a great team.”
The gesture made such an impression that Mercedes decided to preserve the letter.
Lord added: “I thought: ‘Wow, what a beautiful gesture.’ And we even had glass cut over it, so that it will remain in the room forever.”
Hamilton’s comments underline Antonelli’s remarkable progress
Fast-forward to 2026, and Hamilton’s confidence in his successor appears to have been justified.
Antonelli has emerged as the leading force in the championship, with his advantage over Russell continuing to grow. The Italian’s consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made him a serious title contender.
Hamilton has previously acknowledged just how difficult it would be for Ferrari to compete with Antonelli’s current level of performance.
Reflecting on the points difference, he said: “Well, I mean, he is 101 points ahead of me.”
He continued: “In just two races he took about forty points more than me, and we worked so hard to win just a few points here and there.”
Those comments demonstrate the scale of the challenge facing Hamilton and Ferrari, particularly when compared with Antonelli’s progress at Mercedes.
Russell receives a noticeably different assessment
Hamilton’s comments about Russell offer an interesting contrast.
The former Mercedes team-mates spent several seasons racing alongside one another, giving Hamilton considerable experience of Russell’s strengths and weaknesses.
Although Russell remains an experienced and highly competitive driver, Hamilton appeared to believe that Ferrari could still find opportunities to compete with him.
Discussing the possibility of Ferrari having a productive season, Hamilton suggested that one potential route would be to challenge his former team-mate directly.
He said this could happen “if only I could fight with George and get past him somehow,” while acknowledging that even this would be difficult.
Hamilton has nothing but praise for his Mercedes successor
Hamilton was also asked what advice he would give Antonelli as the youngster approached the United States Grand Prix.
His initial response was delivered with a degree of humour.
“Take it easy!”
However, Hamilton quickly made clear that he did not believe Antonelli needed much guidance.
“No, I don’t know. He doesn’t need advice. I think that this year, and also last year, but especially this year, he has shown his talent and his capabilities, his calmness and his approach.”
Hamilton was particularly impressed by how Antonelli has conducted himself both on and off the circuit.
“He has done a great job this year, and I am so proud of him. I am so proud of the way he has conducted himself, how he interacts with the drivers and even with you.”
He concluded: “It is great to see him and the team excel. If it isn’t my team, I would always want my old team to do well.”
Hamilton’s comments provide a fascinating insight into his continued affection for Mercedes. Although his priorities now lie with Ferrari, it is clear that he remains closely invested in the success of the team he helped build his legacy with.
And while Antonelli’s emergence has demonstrated that Mercedes made the right decision for its future, Hamilton’s contrasting comments about the two drivers suggest he is particularly impressed by what the young Italian has achieved.
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