Kimi Antonelli Surpasses Lewis Hamilton’s Record After Just One Formula 1 Race

At just 18 years and 203 days, Antonelli has become the second-youngest driver in F1 history to finish in the points, breaking a record previously set by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Hamilton, now in Ferrari red, endured a challenging first race with his new team, finishing a disappointing tenth.

As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, Antonelli’s impressive debut raises significant questions: Is Mercedes entering a new golden era? Can Antonelli challenge Max Verstappen’s dominance? And what does this mean for Ferrari’s future with Hamilton?

Formula 1 thrives on talent, competition, and record-breaking performances. Throughout its history, the sport has witnessed generational drivers rise to prominence, from Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Now, a new name has emerged: Kimi Antonelli.

Competing in his first Grand Prix at just 18 years old, Antonelli delivered a composed and confident performance, finishing just behind his experienced teammate, George Russell. His ability to handle challenging race conditions and outperform several seasoned drivers is a testament to his potential.

This strong debut has led to inevitable comparisons with the sport’s greats. The fact that Antonelli surpassed a record held by Lewis Hamilton, who had to wait until the age of 22 to score his first Formula 1 points, only reinforces the significance of his achievement.

As Formula 1 looks ahead to a new era of competition, Antonelli’s performance raises an important question: Is he the future of Mercedes and, perhaps, a future world champion?

The Main Story: Antonelli’s Record-Breaking Achievement

1. A Performance That Exceeded Expectations

For any rookie driver, making a Formula 1 debut is a daunting challenge. The step up from junior formulae to the pinnacle of motorsport requires exceptional talent, mental fortitude, and adaptability.

Antonelli not only handled the pressure but exceeded all expectations.

Finishing fourth in his first race places him among the best rookie performances in recent history.
Out Qualifying and outracing established drivers, proving his ability to compete at the highest level.
Scoring 12 points for Mercedes, demonstrating his immediate value to the team.
His measured racecraft, defensive awareness, and ability to extract performance from the car suggest that Mercedes has made the right decision in placing him alongside George Russell.

2. Surpassing a Record Previously Held by Lewis Hamilton

One of the most striking aspects of Antonelli’s debut was his ability to surpass a milestone set by Lewis Hamilton, arguably the greatest driver of his generation.

Hamilton, who debuted in 2007 with McLaren, secured his first points finish at the age of 22. In contrast, Antonelli has achieved this feat four years younger, placing him just behind Max Verstappen, who holds the record for being the youngest driver to score points at 17 years old.

This accomplishment speaks volumes about Antonelli’s maturity, technical skill, and racecraft, all of which suggest that he could follow in the footsteps of Hamilton, Verstappen, and other F1 greats.

3. The Struggles of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

While Antonelli’s debut marked a new chapter of success for Mercedes, it also highlighted the challenges faced by Lewis Hamilton in his first race with Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion, making his high-profile switch to Ferrari in 2025, struggled throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Despite his extensive experience, he:

• Qualified in eighth place, behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
• Dropped to tenth in the race, securing only one championship point.
• Struggled with Ferrari’s race pace and tyre degradation, limiting his ability to make progress.

This difficult start raises concerns about Ferrari’s competitiveness and whether Hamilton’s move to the Italian team will result in a long-term resurgence or continued frustration.

Meanwhile, Antonelli’s performance with Mercedes has intensified speculation that the team could challenge Red Bull much sooner than expected.

The Bigger Picture: A New Era for Mercedes and Formula 1?

1. Is Kimi Antonelli Mercedes’ Next World Champion?

With Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Mercedes needed a driver capable of carrying the team forward. Antonelli’s strong debut suggests that he may be the driver to lead the Silver Arrows into a new era.

He has already proven he can compete at the front of the grid.
His ability to adapt quickly in his first race suggests a steep learning curve ahead.
With the right development, he could become a title contender in the coming seasons.
If Antonelli continues to develop at this rate, he could emerge as a legitimate rival to Verstappen and possibly restore Mercedes to championship-winning form.

2. What This Means for Ferrari and Hamilton’s Legacy

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was seen as one of the biggest transfers in F1 history, but early struggles suggest that success may not come immediately.

Ferrari’s historical inconsistency has already affected Hamilton’s first race weekend.
Internal competition with Charles Leclerc could create tension within the team.
If Ferrari fails to deliver a competitive car, Hamilton’s move could be remembered as a missed opportunity.
As the season unfolds, Ferrari must improve quickly to ensure Hamilton’s final years in Formula 1 are competitive rather than a struggle for minor points finishes.

Conclusion: The Emergence of a New F1 Superstar

Kimi Antonelli’s historic Formula 1 debut has set the stage for what could be the beginning of a remarkable career. His record-breaking performance, ability to handle pressure, and natural racing instinct indicate that he is not just another rookie, he is a potential future world champion.

As Mercedes moves into a new era, Antonelli could be the driver to lead the team back to dominance, much like Lewis Hamilton did in 2013. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s early struggles at Ferrari highlight the unpredictability of Formula 1 and how quickly the landscape of the sport can change.

With an entire season ahead, all eyes will be on Antonelli’s progress, Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari, and Mercedes’ ability to challenge Red Bull’s dominance.

The 2025 season has only just begun, but one thing is certain: a new chapter in Formula 1 history is being written, and Kimi Antonelli is at the center of it.

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