Andrea Kimi Antonelli was more nervous than he had been for some time. A racing driver’s career can often hinge on sliding doors moments such as these. The 18-year-old wasn’t trying to secure a Formula One drive. He completed that mission months ago when he signed with Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli has passed his driving test just six weeks before he makes his Formula One debut for Mercedes at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Italian driver in the form of Kimi Antonelli has admitted that there is a realization that he is replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes which is not only a privilege but a responsibility too.

Kimi Antonelli admits that there is a realization that he's replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and it's not only a privilege but a responsibility as well.

Mercedes fans have been accustomed to seeing the 44 of Lewis Hamilton alongside George Russell's 63 on their cars, but with a new driver in Kimi Antonelli comes a new racing number