06/06/2025 17:10
Kimi Antonelli has reflected on the note left behind for him in the
Mercedes motorhome by Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton departed the
Brackley-based squad at the end of the 2024 season, with rookie
Antonelli chosen as his successor. A handwritten note was left
behind by Hamilton for Antonelli at Monza last year, as it marked
the last time the motorhome would be used until the start of the
European leg the following year. The note contained a welcome
message for Antonelli and advice for the 18-year-old as he
commenced his F1 journey Asked about the memo, Antonelli explained
that it detailed how Hamilton conducts himself as a person. "It
says a lot about how Lewis is as a person," the Italian told media,
including RacingNews365 "I could see a lot of the human side of
Lewis, not only the driver. "Reading the message, it filled my
heart to receive such a message from such a figure in the sport.
"He has done so much, and he's still right there giving his best.
He's one of the best in history." Antonelli has enjoyed a
relatively positive start to his F1 career, but as he faces a steep
learning curve on his rapid rise to the series, he is using
Hamilton's message as motivation to navigate the situation. "To
receive such a message is amazing," Antonelli added. "It also
contained some advice, and I use it as motivation as well to go out
there and do my best, because it doesn't happen every day."
