HINCHCLIFFE: Mercedes took a huge gamble on 18-year-old rookie Antonelli – but he already looks like the real deal

IndyCar Race Winner and AnalystJames Hinchcliffe

It was one of the most stunning driver announcements in recent memory. A childhood dream come true, a risky move for team and driver as well as one that brought an immense amount of media attention and, as a result, pressure.

As he lined up on the grid in Melbourne, in a car he barely knew, in the most challenging conditions a Grand Prix driver can face, the world watched to see if he’d be able to deliver.

And boy did Kimi Antonelli deliver.

Unlock exclusive F1 content and more with F1 Unlocked. Totally free.

Membership gets you closer with:

Curated insider content
Live like an F1 insider with exclusive access and VIP experiences
Member benefits, rewards and offers

Next Up

$Robert Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber F1 celebrates his third position.\r\nFormula One World Championship,$ Sauber’s best moments and most memorable liveries in F1
Norris praises support from Hamilton, Vettel and more
ExclusiveThe F1 team bosses choose their top 10 drivers of 2025
Piastri not expecting Norris’ title to change dynamics
End Of Year Reports 2025McLaren’s best and worst moments from 2025
BarrettoLawrence Barretto’s 5 bold predictions for 2026

HINCHCLIFFE: Mercedes took a huge gamble on 18-year-old rookie Antonelli – but he already looks like the real deal

Related Articles