\u201cI can\u2019t imagine what it\u2019s like at 18, or try to imagine what it\u2019s like at 18 to do what he\u2019s been doing,\u201d Hamilton told Sky Sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s been doing fantastic to be thrown in at the deep end at 18. He didn\u2019t even have his driving licence when he started racing, so I think it\u2019s a lot on someone\u2019s shoulders and I think he\u2019s doing a great job.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Antonelli, who replaced the seven-time World Champion at Mercedes this season, began his F1 career with a string of solid results, including five points finishes in the first six races and a podium in Canada. However, a dip in form has followed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Italian crashed out with Max Verstappen in Austria, failed to score at Silverstone, and endured a disappointing weekend in Belgium\u2014failing to get out of SQ1 and Q1 before finishing outside the points. He was visibly emotional during post-race interviews.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pressure isn\u2019t entirely new. Antonelli also struggled under the spotlight in 2024, when he crashed during his F1 practice debut at Monza amid intense hype. He later admitted to being mentally and physically exhausted ahead of his home race at Imola this year, drained by the obligations that came with racing on Italian soil.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Hamilton believes Antonelli is handling the pressure as best as anyone could at such a young age.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pressure isn\u2019t entirely new. Antonelli also struggled under the spotlight in 2024, when he crashed during his F1 practice debut at Monza amid intense hype. He later admitted to being mentally and physically exhausted ahead of his home race at Imola this year, drained by the obligations that came with racing on Italian soil.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd as I say, he\u2019s got Bono [Pete Bonnington, Hamilton\u2019s former engineer] beside him, so he couldn\u2019t have anyone better.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n