Mercedes rising star Kimi Antonelli has earned comparisons to Formula 1 legends Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel following his remarkable championship-leading start to the 2026 season. Former F1 TV presenter Will Buxton drew the parallels on the Up To Speed podcast, highlighting similarities between Antonelli’s current performances and the early careers of both multiple world champions.
The 19-year-old Italian has stunned the paddock in his sophomore F1 campaign, establishing a commanding 43-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell after just five rounds. Antonelli’s dominant form has seen him claim victory in his first four consecutive race wins, taking the checkered flag at the Chinese, Japanese, Miami, and Canadian Grands Prix.
Antonelli’s historic achievement makes him the first driver in Formula 1 history to win his opening four races in succession, underlining the exceptional nature of his early-season performance. His latest triumph in Canada came despite internal Mercedes tensions, as he and Russell engaged in close wheel-to-wheel combat during both the sprint and grand prix weekends.
The intra-team battle reached a boiling point when Antonelli accused Russell of forcing him off track during the sprint race, though the pair reportedly resolved their differences privately. Their rivalry intensified during the main race before Russell’s challenge ended with a battery failure, allowing Antonelli to extend his championship advantage.
Buxton specifically referenced Hamilton’s breakthrough 2008 campaign and Vettel’s early career when explaining the comparison. “He reminds me a lot of a young Lewis back in ’08 or a young Seb when he first came into the sport,” Buxton explained. “I picked Lewis because Lewis, in his first season, was fighting for a world championship,” highlighting the championship-contending caliber Antonelli has already demonstrated.