Lewis Hamilton replaced for Mexican Grand Prix after Mercedes ‘baffles’ US Grand Prix | F1 | Sport

According to RaceFans, Hamilton will be replaced in FP1 by Andrea Chimi Antonelli this week. With Wolff said to be “baffled” by what happened at the Circuit of the Americas, the Austrian also appears keen to carefully evaluate the new updates to the W15 cars.

Allowing the 18-year-old to take part will also mean Mercedes will honor its commitment to give up one practice session in each of its cars in favor of a junior driver. Antonelli previously competed in FP1 in August at the Italian Grand Prix.

His speed in the first five laps at Monza was enough to impress the team staff. However, his ride was cut short when he lost control of his car and went off the track.

But his latest opportunity at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will also serve as preparation for when he takes to the grid full time in 2025. The Italian will take Hamilton’s place when he moves to Ferrari at the end of the year.

Antonelli has already highlighted his enormous potential this season in the FIA ​​Formula 1 Championship. He currently sits sixth overall, with wins at Silverstone and Hungary.

Hamilton has just five Grand Prix races left before he ends his 12-year stay at Mercedes. And after his disastrous weekend last time out, he suggested it was the car rather than driver error that caused his DNF.

“I had a great start, I clearly pushed through the inside and moved up to 12th,” he said after returning to the paddock. “It was only the second lap at that point, so I’m not stressing or straining, just trying to manage the tyres.

“The car started bouncing as it approached and then it just lost the whole rear end and just ran into me. I’ve never spun in a race before, at least I don’t remember, so it’s definitely frustrating, but I know it’s not that I wasn’t focused or anything, it’s just unfortunate.”