Kimi Antonelli will get behind the wheel of a Mercedes car this weekend in Austin.
Lewis Hamilton has made it clear that he has no concerns over offering up his Mercedes car to Kimi Antonelli for FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend. His successor at the Brackley-based team crashed George Russell’s W15 during his debut outing in Monza earlier this year.
Following on from the Monza crash, Antonelli will make his second FP1 outing this weekend, having already been confirmed as Russell’s team-mate for the 2025 campaign. By replacing Hamilton, the Italian teenager will be completing Mercedes’ rookie free practice requirements for the season.
“[He needs to] just build into it and enjoy it. I told him the track is really dirty early on, and whatever we’re faced with, we’ll handle it, but I don’t think he’ll have a problem today.”
Antonelli isn’t the only rookie taking to the track in FP1 on Friday. Robert Shwartzman will complete Sauber’s duties for the season, while Felipe Drugovich will step behind the wheel of the AMR24 for the first time, having helped develop the car in his test and reserve role.
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