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Hamilton: 'Youngsters take opportunities from experienced drivers'
- Tygo Bekkema
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his debut on behalf of Mercedes' Formula 1 team this weekend. The young Italian will take charge of the first free practice session at the Monza circuit. Antonelli is also being closely linked with a final transfer to the Silver Arrows, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who will drive for Ferrari's team from next year onwards. The seven-time world champion had only good words for the Mercedes junior during the media day in Monza.
Hamilton very much hopes Antonelli will take over his seat next year. "I mean, I said a long time ago that I think that's who the team should choose, moving forward. Time will tell what they end up deciding to do. But I think he's one of those young, super talented kids that's come through," Hamilton said in Monza ahead of the Italian GP.
Hamilton hopes Antonelli gets time
Yet Hamilton is also keen to stress that Antonelli should not be saddled with too much pressure. "I mean, he's a young adult now, but yeah, he's only 18. So I think it'd be good for people just to remember that he is just turning 18, and he's got a bright future ahead of him. And yeah, I'm really excited to see and watch his progress."
Finally, Hamilton explained in a nutshell why he believes Antonelli is a suitable Mercedes driver. "We've been watching him through the different formulas, I think naturally he is a Mercedes driver. I just think that we are starting to see a lot of younger drivers coming through, and I think we're just in that time where there are only 20 seats, and I think it's time we're starting to see this new wave come through in terms of taking on another driver that's had many, many years of experience as opposed to giving an opportunity to a youngster."
The seven-time world champion said he was in a similar situation when he made his debut for McLaren. "That's what McLaren did for me and it worked out well. So, in my opinion, it's just an opportunity for him to grow. He would get to work with the best in class, learn from people that I've worked with for so many, many years. But it is a lot of weight on someone's shoulders, but as I said, it's a great environment that I think they would just be able to nurture him and carry him through it. But there are other really good options, so you'll have to ask Toto which one he's leaning towards," he concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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18 September 2024
