Kimi Antonelli to Step In for Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes FP1 at Mexico City Grand Prix: A Second Chance for the Rising Star

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to participate in his second practice session for Mercedes, stepping in for Lewis Hamilton during the first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Toto Wolff announced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to participate in the initial practice session for Mercedes during the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend.

Antonelli is set to take the wheel of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes for the initial hour of practice on Friday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

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According to the regulations set by Formula 1, each of the 10 teams is allowed to let rookie drivers participate in two events during the 2024 season.

Antonelli stepped in for George Russell during the first practice session at Monza, but he suffered a significant crash shortly after starting.

The Italian teenager, who is 18 years old, is set to have another chance to drive the W15 as he gears up for his first appearance in Formula 1 next year.

Antonelli has been selected to replace Hamilton, as the seven-time world champion is set to team up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Prior to the weekend, Wolff remarked, "Mexico's high elevation poses a distinctive challenge. The engine must exert more effort, and to offset the reduced air density, we use maximum downforce."

"This will offer an additional chance to assess our latest update package. Kimi will participate in his second FP1 session, and we are eager to see his progress continue on the track."

Mercedes faced a tough situation during their recent appearance at the United States Grand Prix, leading to a challenging weekend for the team as they prepare for the upcoming race in Mexico.

In the first few laps, Hamilton lost control and exited the race, whereas Russell managed to secure a sixth-place finish despite beginning the race from the pit lane.

Both drivers found the W15 challenging to handle, possibly due to the impact of the new upgrade package on the car's performance.

"Following a challenging weekend in Austin, we now have a chance to quickly recover in Mexico," Wolff stated. "Our results in Texas indicated that the car has an intrinsic level of performance. Our task is to consistently tap into this potential."

"The outcome isn't due to a single issue but rather the way the car performs considering both aerodynamic and mechanical aspects. We have five races left this season to address these matters. It's crucial to focus on this, not just to enhance our current performance, but also to prepare effectively for the 2025 season."

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