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Kimi Antonelli's arrival in Formula 1 has sparked euphoria among fans, especially those of Mercedes, who have been eagerly awaiting to see who would succeed Lewis Hamilton. Many consider Antonelli to be the greatest talent in F1, with some even going as far as to believe that he could become the greatest driver in the sport’s history.
Legends of the sport have responded to his arrival, including the great Kimi Räikkönen. Räikkönen, a former F1 star, has been keeping track of the developments and learned that Mercedes has confirmed the young Italian for the next season. He is excited about the current events in the F1 scene, believing that Antonelli's return will bring an extra level of excitement, especially given his comeback to this sport.
“Yeah, I heard,” Raikkonen told F1.com, as quoted by Crash.
“When we came here, somebody said that they announced it!
It’s great. A lot of new faces, I think, coming next year, a lot of new drivers that have been signed to F1. It’s good for the sport, and it’s also great to have an Italian in the championship. It’s good for everybody, I think."
Kimi Räikkönen expressed confidence that Mercedes knows how to prepare Antonelli for his F1 debut. He stated that in the past, drivers had to start their careers without the benefit of simulators, diving straight into racing. Today, however, with advanced simulators and extensive testing opportunities, moving up to F1 is much easier in many respects. Räikkönen wished Antonelli and all the other drivers the best as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
This great driver reflected on his son, Robin, who is currently involved in go-karting. He mentioned that things are progressing well but remains uncertain about whether Robin will fulfill his dreams in the same way he did or if he possesses the same level of talent. Räikkönen emphasized that, for now, what matters most is that Robin is having fun.
Lewis Hamilton reacts to Kimi's arrival
Kimi Räikkönen isn’t the only one to have reacted to recent developments. Lewis Hamilton, the current Mercedes driver who will be succeeded by Antonelli, also commented on the young Italian’s arrival at the team. A few days ago, Hamilton mentioned that he was aware Antonelli would be the 18-year-old successor and expressed his happiness that someone else will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and qualities, just as he did. Hamilton admitted to feeling quite emotional about the situation and believes that Kimi will do a fantastic job.
“I mean, I’ve known for ages so… But definitely this morning, I knew it would be announced this morning, and I definitely woke up and it was very surreal,” he said.
“Just to have it officially confirmed my seat is going and that I’ve held on for it for so long.
I was quite emotional this morning. But really happy for Kimi and for this team. I know Kimi is going to do a great job.”
Lewis Hamilton praised Antonelli, saying he’s a great young driver with a strong support system and a good head on his shoulders. Hamilton is confident in Antonelli’s talent and believes he will do extremely well, expressing his excitement about what the future holds for him.
Among Mercedes' executives and key figures within the team, there is a palpable sense of optimism and excitement, as they believe Antonelli is one of the greatest talents the team has ever had. The 18-year-old possesses many impressive qualities, and there is no doubt that he has the potential to achieve great things. The main question now is how he will handle the mental challenges of F1, given that the journey will not be easy.
Lewis Hamilton on leaving Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton talked about how every race now feels especially emotional for him. He explained that, because each race brings him closer to the end of his time with the team, it feels like a final experience. He expressed how much he loves his team and how they’ve been through a lot together, making every race a huge moment as they approach the end of this chapter.
Leaving a team where you've built your career and achieved so much isn’t easy. But every story has to end at some point, and this is Hamilton’s time to move on. He’s excited for a new challenge and aims to win a championship. Hamilton has been feeling frustrated with Mercedes in recent seasons, believing that his chances for another title there were slim. Joining Ferrari gives him a great opportunity to set a new record and become the most successful driver in history. It won’t be easy, but we’ll see how it all plays out.
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