Antonelli explains approach to ‘emotionally and mentally draining’ Imola home race as he reflects on handwritten note from Hamilton

Kimi Antonelli has conceded that it will be important to manage his energy levels during what could be an “emotionally and mentally draining” debut F1 home race at Imola, a weekend in which the youngster has also had a first opportunity to read a handwritten note left for him in his motorhome room by Lewis Hamilton.

Now entering into his seventh Formula 1 event for Mercedes, Antonelli will become the first Italian to race in front of the local crowd since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021. And despite the pressure that this might bring, the 18-year-old is excited to give the fans something to cheer about.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend

“It feels amazing,” Antonelli responded when asked what it means to him to race in a home event as a Formula 1 driver. “I think this one is my proper home race because, of course we have Monza as well, but I live probably 30 minutes away from the track, so I would say it is my proper home race.

“I’m really excited, I really like the track as well. I think it’s a really challenging track, old school, but it’s really good fun to drive here. Of course I feel the weekend is going to be a special one, especially racing in front of all the Italian fans, my family, friends. So it’s going to be intense as well, but really excited to hit the track tomorrow.”

Given that intensity that a home race can bring, Antonelli – who became the youngest driver to ever claim a pole position in F1 when he took P1 during Sprint Qualifying last time out in Miami – was also quizzed on how he will protect his energy levels across the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend.

"Definitely this weekend is going to be emotionally and mentally draining,” the rookie explained. “I mean, home race in front of the Italian fans, my family and friends will be attending, so it’s going to be really important to manage the energy, especially in those moments where I can, and not to waste energy in something that is not useful.

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“It’s going to be important to stay on top of that, because it’s really easy to hit the bottom of the pack before the end of the weekend. Already a normal weekend is very tiring and draining, so this is like double.

“So of course I’m going to try to protect myself, also the fact that I’ve got good people around me really helps that, and we’re all aligned that this weekend is going to be tough, so we’re preparing and we’re quite well prepared.

“At the end of the day, it’s another race weekend, but obviously it’s going to be different. At the same time, it’s going to be exciting. I think the energy is going to be amazing and can be also used to do even better on track. Really looking forward to see how we go this weekend.”

With this weekend’s visit to the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari marking the start of the European leg of races, the event gives Antonelli a long-awaited opportunity to view a note that Hamilton left for him after the seven-time World Champion’s final stay in the motorhome last year before his departure to Ferrari.

Asked about his feelings when reading the letter – and how much it had meant to him that Hamilton took the time to write it – Antonelli reflected: “It [says] a lot on how Lewis is as a person. I think I could see a lot of the human side of Lewis, not only the driver.

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“Reading the message, it fulfilled my heart to receive such a message from such a figure in the sport. He has done so much and he’s still right there, giving his best, and he’s one of the best in history.

“To receive such a message, it’s amazing, and of course also in the message it contained also some advice, and I use it as a motivation to go out there and do my best, because it doesn’t happen every day.”

And when pushed on whether he will keep the letter, Antonelli added: “Yes, it’s actually on the wall so I will keep it there, because I think the message is so nice that I just want to leave it there. Every day I’m in the room, every time I enter the room, I can see the message, and it’s also a really good reminder.”