Hamilton is "there" for his Mercedes successor Antonelli: 'I wasn't ready at 18'

21:29, 14 Aug

Updated: 22:17, 14 Aug

byKada Sarkozi

After Lewis Hamilton decided to join Ferrari and as a result leave Mercedes, it was announced that Kimi Antonelli will replace him alongside George Russell. The Briton explained he is there to help the rookie driver.

Antonelli himself acknowledged ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he is finished in P10, that he has been going through a different period in terms of results. Hamilton has also talked to him at Spa-Francorchamps, the Italian also shared.

Hamilton there to support Antonelli

Talking to GPblog among others, Lewis Hamilton, explained: "I always let him (Antonelli) know that I'm there. I think it's always important to let people know they're not alone, so I let him know that. I try not to encroach, like get in the way or anything like that, but just let him know that you can always lean on me if you have any needs [to]."

"He's already got an amazing group of people around him. He's 18. I mean, I wasn't ready at 18," the seven-time world champion continued.

Hamilton then continued to praise the Italian: "I think this year, particularly the first half of the year, the way he’s jumped in, and I’ve been behind him several times when he’s not budged. So, he’s clearly got the ability."

"And it’s just a bad experience. It’s very difficult when you want to succeed, and with all the pressure and everything, it’s sometimes difficult to handle. But I think he’s been doing really, really, really well. And he’s a really great lad,” he concluded.