Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes youngster, is making waves at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, not just with his driving, but with a specific starting position that looks strikingly similar to one Lewis Hamilton used to pull. He’s been spotted with one hand placed high across the steering wheel when he’s lining up for a launch, a signature Hamilton move from his Mercedes years and even now. It’s a definite discussion point, and it tells you everything about how closely this 19-year-old is watching the legend he replaced.
Why This Hand Position Is an Absolute Game-Changer
Look, this isn’t just Antonelli doing some random thing with his hands. This peculiar positioning became clear for Hamilton back in the 2016 season after Mercedes made serious adjustments to his steering wheel and clutch setup. Reports from that time weren’t shy about it: those changes were all about improving Hamilton’s starts. We’re talking improved leverage and a much more efficient clutch release. Hamilton’s left hand would sit high up on the upper-left part of the wheel, while his other hand perfectly managed the clutch. This wasn’t a bit of fun; it was absolutely deliberate, a calculated edge. An F1 start is pure chaos, demanding a driver balance engine speed, clutch engagement, steering input, the lights going out, and rear-tire grip all in a literal fraction of a second. Even the slightest twitch in clutch-paddle movement can totally screw up the process of getting a car moving smoothly, avoiding wheelspin, and optimizing acceleration. By putting one hand high on the steering wheel, a driver gets a super reliable physical reference point while the other hand works that clutch paddle. Launches are all about repeatability, and F1 drivers, more than anyone, are obsessed with anything that removes even one variable from that pre-race panic.
The Mercedes Link and Antonelli’s Intense Prep
The fact Antonelli is pulling this specific move isn’t a huge shock when you think about the connections. Antonelli literally replaced Hamilton at Mercedes after the Brit bolted for Ferrari. Antonelli kicked off his full-time Mercedes F1 role at the start of the 2025 season, but he wasn’t just dropped in cold. He spent a ton of time prepping with the team, diving deep into simulator and data work at Brackley, getting on track for testing, studying circuits, and just flat-out practicing with all the controls and procedures built into that Mercedes steering wheel. Antonelli himself talked about his process, saying, “Then there’s Bono. I’ve been working with him and learning from him to be ready for 2025.” He even added, “I’ve been learning those and getting used to all the procedures on the steering wheel as well.” He’s been soaking it all in, getting ready for this moment.
So, Antonelli is clearly putting all that preparation to use, specifically with this Hamilton-esque starting position. With this becoming a big discussion point at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, everyone’s watching to see if this deliberate, precise technique gives him that vital edge right off the line. It’s all about finding those tiny advantages, and Antonelli might have just found a huge one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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