Lewis Hamilton Throws Shade at Rising Star Kimi Antonelli as He Nears Maiden F1 World Title

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Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has publicly joked that Mercedes’ prodigy Kimi Antonelli should “slow down” as the young driver closes in on his first-ever Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes, holds a commanding lead in the 2026 title race and could clinch the crown this weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin under specific conditions.

Antonelli currently tops the championship standings by an impressive 102-point margin over teammate George Russell, with Hamilton trailing in third place, 111 points adrift. A perfect scenario for Antonelli to secure the title on Sunday would require him to win the race while Russell finishes ninth or lower, and Hamilton fails to finish better than fifth.

During Thursday’s drivers’ press conference ahead of the Austin Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked if he had any advice for the young Mercedes star. The Briton responded with a tongue-in-cheek remark: “Slow down!” He quickly followed with genuine praise, highlighting Antonelli’s exceptional talent and composure. “He doesn’t need any advice. I think he’s shown this year, and also last year, but particularly this year, his talent and his ability, his calmness, and his approach,” Hamilton said. “He’s done an amazing job this year, and I’m so proud of him.”

Hamilton went on to commend Antonelli’s professionalism both on and off the track, noting, “I’m so proud of the way he’s carried himself, how he interacts with the drivers, and even with you guys. It’s great to see him and the team excel. If it’s not my team, I’d always want to see my old team do well.”

Antonelli, who would become the first Italian driver to win the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, remains grounded despite his dominant position. “It definitely is crazy if you think about it, but that’s why I won’t think about it,” Antonelli stated ahead of the race. “I’ve heard that something catastrophic needs to happen to the others for me to become champion [in Austin]. For me, it needs to be a perfect weekend. The others need to have a poor result, which is unlikely to happen.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus: “Obviously, I’m in an incredible position, but, of course, I still have to keep going, and the mindset is always the same: whenever I go on track, I want to be at the top and try to win as much as possible.” On the timing of clinching the title, he added, “Whether I win the championship this weekend, next weekend, or in Brazil. Let’s see.”

As the 2026 season approaches its climax, all eyes will be on Austin to see if Antonelli can make history or if the championship battle will extend further into the season. Hamilton’s mix of humor and respect underscores the emergence of a remarkable new talent ready to challenge the sport’s established hierarchy.