Being compared to Lewis Hamilton is one thing, but the almost mythical figure of Ayrton Senna is certainly another.
That’s the fate that has befallen Formula 1’s latest superstar, although for very differing reasons.
GettyHamilton’s switch to Ferrari opened up the hottest seat in F1 for Antonelli[/caption]
Andrea Kimi Antonelli joins the grid in 2025 on a hiding to nothing, having jumped into the seat of statistically the greatest of all time.
The Italian will be driving Lewis Hamilton’s car this season, having just a single practice session under his belt with the world’s fastest machinery.
There’s some pressure too, given that the long-time Mercedes backed talent didn’t exactly have a stunning season in Formula 2 last year, finishing sixth in the championship.
But Antonelli isn’t worried about the Hamilton comparisons, as he told BBC “I don’t feel like his replacement. I just feel like a Mercedes F1 driver.
“But it’s such a great opportunity. I am really grateful for the trust and opportunity Mercedes gave me.
“But at the same time, it is a big responsibility as well, because I am racing for Mercedes, top team, and so they’ve got some expectations as well, of course. I am just going to try to make the best out of this.
“I really want to start with a nice rhythm and build from there and be consistent, and what I don’t want to do is, like, big mistake.
“When you do a big mistake, you do a few steps back and then to recover it takes a little time.”
Born and raised in Italy, the 18-year-old has also been faced with another comparison, and it’s one he hasn’t exactly helped himself with by selecting the No.12 for his F1 career.
That number was popularised by Senna, the Brazilian three-time champion that Hamilton and many of his peers consider the true greatest of all time, no matter what the statistics say.
On top of reserving that figure last season, Antonelli also shares the looks of a young Senna, something he’s been reminded of before.
“Yeah, people told me that,” he said. “I don’t really like being compared because I think you know every person has his own personality.
“But he is my idol, he is my reference, so it would be cool just to achieve even a little part of what he achieved in his whole career.”
Antonelli recorded the seventh fastest time in pre-season testing, while Mercedes recorded the most laps of any squad and are being mooted as potentially the second-fastest team on the grid.
The season gets underway with first practice at the Australian Grand Prix on March 14.
