Antonelli’s arrival echoes Hamilton’s 2007 breakthrough

Kimi Antonelli has yet to race in Formula One but Mercedes see the 18-year-old Italian as a fitting replacement for Lewis Hamilton, the most successful driver of all time, who is joining Ferrari next year.

There are similarities for a start in the manner in which they arrived at the top, with Antonelli’s deal announced on Saturday, if not in their very different backgrounds and characters.

Hamilton, now 39 and with a record 105 grand prix wins and seven championships under his belt...