P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes will be rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Toto Wolff believes that following a Lewis Hamilton-style blueprint will help Andrea Kimi Antonelli adapt to the challenges of Formula 1, as he is set to replace Hamilton at Mercedes next season. Antonelli, like Hamilton, will be a rookie with a strong junior career background, reminiscent of Hamilton’s early days at McLaren in 2007. Wolfgang is determined to guide Antonelli on a path similar to Hamilton’s, emphasizing the importance of a gradual transition into the competitive world of F1. Despite the differences in the current F1 landscape with more pressures and social media presence, Wolff aims to support Antonelli in creating his own success story, akin to Hamilton’s illustrious career. The goal is to prepare Antonelli effectively so he can be immediately competitive in F1, drawing inspiration from the successes of drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen.