Hamilton Backs Antonelli Amid Struggles; Rosberg Calls for Contract

Lewis Hamilton has publicly supported Kimi Antonelli, asserting that the young driver has been performing well despite recent challenges in his debut Formula 1 season. Antonelli, who is set to turn 19 in August, initially made a strong impression by finishing in the top six in five of his first six races. However, he has only managed to score points in one of the last seven races, marking a notable decline in form.

The Italian teenager’s recent performance included a promising podium finish in Canada in June, but a series of mistakes have impacted his confidence, culminating in a tearful moment after being eliminated in Q1 at the Belgian Grand Prix over the weekend. Following this disappointing result, Hamilton reached out to Antonelli, visiting him on Sunday morning and offering support during the drivers’ parade.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton emphasized the pressure on Antonelli, saying, “I can’t imagine what it’s like at 18 to do what he’s doing. I think he’s been doing fantastically,” underscoring that Antonelli had not even acquired his driving license when he began racing in Formula 1. Hamilton added, “It’s a lot on someone’s shoulders. I think he’s doing a great job.”

Antonelli was promoted to the Mercedes team to replace George Russell, who is now paired with Hamilton after the latter’s switch to Ferrari. The young driver also inherited Hamilton’s former race engineer, Peter Bonnington, a significant figure in Hamilton’s successful tenure with the team.

Team Struggles and Performance Insights

Antonelli’s recent difficulties have mirrored a broader downturn for Mercedes, with Russell failing to break into the top four in the three races following his victory in Canada. The upgrades introduced to the car during the summer have not yielded the expected improvements, and Andrew Shovlin, head of trackside engineering, noted that Antonelli’s lack of experience is likely exacerbating his challenges.

Shovlin commented, “Kimi hasn’t got that to drop back on, and that’s probably why you’ve seen a bit of a shift in his results recently.” He acknowledged that the team needs to address the underlying issues with the car to support Antonelli’s development. “It’s quite likely something that we’ve changed on the car, and we just need to get back to a baseline where it’s working more normally.”

Despite the struggles, Antonelli’s early performances had raised expectations, including a fourth-place finish in Australia and strong showings in subsequent races. He also secured a maiden pole position during Sprint Qualifying in Miami, further highlighting his potential.

Calls for Stability and Future Support

Former world champion Nico Rosberg has suggested that uncertainty about Antonelli’s future could be affecting his performance, recommending that Mercedes confirm his contract for 2026 immediately. Rosberg, who won the championship with Mercedes in 2016, stated, “The team needs to support him as much as possible. Just giving him confidence and time to make progress.”

The future of both Antonelli and Russell at Mercedes has been a subject of speculation, particularly amid the team’s efforts to sign reigning world champion Max Verstappen. While many believe Verstappen will remain with Red Bull at least through 2026, Rosberg emphasized the importance of mental stability for young drivers facing pressure.

He remarked, “Kimi is definitely a generational talent… When you start having a little bit of a spiral, it starts to spiral a bit negatively.” Rosberg’s comments reflect a growing concern for Antonelli’s well-being as the young driver navigates the challenges of Formula 1.

The Formula 1 season continues with the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, which will serve as the final race before the mid-season break. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Antonelli can regain his early-season form and how Mercedes addresses the challenges both he and the team are facing.