Antonelli reveals Hamilton’s words of support amid struggles

At just 18 years old, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli is already facing the intense spotlight and pressures of Formula 1 — and learning firsthand how brutal the sport can be.

But after a painful qualifying session at the Belgian Grand Prix, it was a quiet, heartfelt moment with his legendary predecessor that reminded him he’s not alone.

Antonelli, who qualified 18th on Saturday after failing to make the Q2 cut, was visibly disheartened when he arrived late to face the media. Yet behind the scenes, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton offered him a timely dose of perspective and encouragement.

A Champion’s Advice

“He came to say hi to the team, and definitely we had a couple of words,” Antonelli recounted.

“He was telling me to keep my head up and that it's normal to have bad weekends. And just to keep believing. It was really nice.”

Hamilton, who burst onto the F1 scene with McLaren in 2007 at just 22, spoke compassionately about the challenges Antonelli is facing as a teenager thrust into the top tier of motorsport.

“I can't imagine what it's like at 18 – or try to imagine what it's like at 18 – to do what he's doing,” Hamilton said. “He's been doing fantastic. But to be thrown in at the deep end at 18… he hadn't even had his driving licence when he first started racing.

“I think it's a lot on someone's shoulders. He's doing a great job and he's got a great group of people around him. So, I think you've just got to take it in your stride, which I think he is.

“And he's got Bono by his side. He doesn't have anyone better.”

A Race of Small Wins

In an effort to help him regain confidence, Mercedes opted to start Antonelli from the pitlane with a higher-downforce rear wing on Sunday.

It gave the teenager more stability in his W16 and a bit more comfort behind the wheel, though his forward progress was limited, finishing 16th.

“Those few laps where I was in free air I definitely had a lot more fun,” Antonelli said. “Then being stuck is quite frustrating, because you can't really unleash the real pace you have. Once I was stuck, I was two seconds slower all of a sudden.”

Despite the difficulties, the Italian knows where he must improve – and what’s at stake.

“It was tricky, but I think I shouldn't be starting that far back,” he admitted.

“I think I need to work on my qualifying and work to get the confidence back with the car in order to start more at the front. Because in those races where I started more at the front, it was a completely different story.”

In the brutal world of F1, even the most gifted rookies stumble. But with Hamilton’s wisdom echoing in his ears and a team still fully behind him, Antonelli’s story is far from finished – and just maybe, Spa was one step closer to the turning point.

• Read also: Russell wants ‘big sit down’ after Mercedes' worst race of the season

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