Kimi Antonelli was quick to reject comparisons to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as he gears up for his first season in Formula One with Mercedes. 

Hamilton's switch to Ferrari sent shock waves through the sport, as the 40-year-old ended 12 successful years with Mercedes to link up with Charles Leclerc in 2025. 

Mercedes chose to replace Hamilton with 18-year-old Antonelli in what could prove to be an interesting subplot ahead of the opening race of the new season in March. 

Hamilton made his F1 debut when he was 22, which has seen Antonelli likened to the Brit, though the teenager shrugged off such comparisons.

Speaking to Sky Sports as Mercedes launched their new partnership with Adidas, Antonelli said: "I feel like I'm just a new Mercedes driver.

"Saying that I'm replacing Lewis Hamilton I don't think is really correct because he's such a big figure in the sport, and he has done so much.

"I feel like I'm just the next Mercedes driver and really want to make my way and achieve great results and be successful."

Fantastico! Kimi Antonelli will make his @F1 debut for the Team in 2025

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 31, 2024

Antonelli is considered an important figure at Mercedes, having joined their junior team in 2019, and was linked with replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams last season. 

He made his free practice debut at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, taking part in the first session in George Russell's W15, setting the fastest lap before spinning out. 

The Italian entered another free practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he finished 12th after again ending his session prematurely with floor damage. 

Antonelli also featured alongside Russell in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit, completing 62 laps and setting the fifth-fastest time overall.

But he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"It's not going to be easy because my first year in F1, at the end of the day I'm racing against the 19 best drivers in the world," Antonelli said.

"And, of course, the world of motorsport, F1 especially, can be very brutal sometimes.

"But the thing is, I'm just going to try to stay focused on myself, try to work day by day, weekend by weekend, trying to improve myself."