Hamilton Shares Heartfelt Reaction to … Read More
Lewis Hamilton has spoken warmly about witnessing Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable Sprint pole at the Miami Grand Prix, describing it as a heartwarming moment that brought back fond memories of his own time at Mercedes. Antonelli, a teenage prodigy and Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes for the 2025 season, made headlines by becoming the youngest ever driver to claim pole position in an F1 Sprint Qualifying session.
Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari after an illustrious stint with Mercedes, expressed admiration for Antonelli’s rise and the team’s continued faith in his development. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff’s decision to promote Antonelli was met with skepticism due to the youngster’s limited experience, but his performance thus far has silenced many doubters. With points finishes in four of his first five race weekends, Antonelli has demonstrated maturity and composure beyond his years.
His pole position in Miami, achieved at the challenging International Autodrome, was a milestone moment. Hamilton acknowledged the significance of the achievement by sharing a congratulatory message on Instagram, which included shout-outs to Antonelli, Wolff, and Peter Bonnington—Hamilton’s former race engineer affectionately known as “Bono.”
Reflecting on the post, Hamilton said, “I saw the video of Bono, Kimi, and Toto, and it genuinely just brought warmth to my heart. I’ve been in that team for a long, long time. Bono is just the best.” He added that it was gratifying to see Antonelli prove the skeptics wrong and praised the rookie’s underdog spirit, calling it a “great story.”
Despite a dramatic Sprint race, where Antonelli lost the lead at Turn 1 during a battle with Oscar Piastri and was later involved in a pit-lane collision with Max Verstappen, Hamilton remained supportive. He noted the difficult conditions the young driver faced and commended him for still securing valuable points.
Antonelli bounced back by qualifying third for the main Grand Prix and finishing sixth, underscoring his resilience and potential. With 48 points so far, he currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, playing a key role in Mercedes’ second-place position in the Constructors’ Standings.
Looking ahead, Hamilton offered simple but encouraging advice: “I would just say to continue doing what he’s doing. I think he knows what he’s doing – and just continue to enjoy it.”
Hamilton’s sentiments reflect a deep respect for both the team he once called home and the young driver who’s stepping into his shoes, signaling a passing of the torch with admiration and goodwill.
