Neither Ferrari nor Mercedes have relished their recruits\u2019 results in every round of the 2025 F1 season<\/a> thus far. Hamilton has hit the summer break just sixth in the F1 drivers\u2019 standings<\/a> on 109 points, with the seven-time champion above Antonelli in seventh place on 64 points.<\/p>\n Hamilton\u2019s P12 finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix last time out also marked the first time he failed to earn a point in a race that the Briton was classified as finishing for Ferrari. Antonelli finished the Hungarian GP in P10 for his second points-paying finish in the past eight rounds.<\/p>\n Antonelli lost his confidence with Mercedes\u2019 car<\/a> during his torrid spell, as well, as the Italian struggled for stability after the Silver Arrows revived their rear suspension update in Canada. It helped Antonelli take his debut F1 podium in Canada<\/a>, but was ruinous at every other race.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats<\/a><\/p>\n Position Drivers’ Championship PointsPts 1 284 2 275 3 187 4 172 5 151 6 109 7 64 <\/p>\n The Bologna boy especially struggled at Spa, with P17 in the F1 Sprint and P16 in the Belgian GP, on what became the final outing of Mercedes\u2019 rear suspension upgrade. Hamilton came to Antonelli\u2019s defence at Spa<\/a>, as well as moving to give his successor his support and advice.<\/p>\n Wolff is clear that Hamilton did not surprise him by the Ferrari driver putting his arm around Antonelli\u2019s shoulder at Spa. The Mercedes chief feels the pair have built a close relationship as Hamilton \u2018recognises\u2019 that Antonelli is a \u2018champion\u2019, and knows what he is going through.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Wolff told Gazzetta dello Sport<\/a>. \u201cI think champions recognise other champions. And Lewis remains very important to us. He was a pillar of our team and will always be part of the Mercedes family, even though he now drives for Ferrari.<\/p>\n \u201cMy friendship with Lewis has remained unchanged. We talk often, and I think he understands the challenges Kimi faces.\u201d<\/p>\n Mercedes are still \u2018learning\u2019 how to give Kimi Antonelli the best \u2018environment\u2019 to succeed Antonelli replacing Hamilton at Mercedes marked a big change for Wolff\u2019s squad, who called on the latter between 2013 and 2024 to partner with Nico Rosberg (2013-16), Valtteri Bottas (2017-21) and George Russell (2022-present). Hamilton even won six drivers\u2019 titles for them.<\/p>\n![\"Mercedes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2228327295-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Joe Portlock\/Getty ImagesToto Wolff thinks Lewis Hamilton \u2018recognises\u2019 Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a \u2018champion\u2019<\/p>\n![\"Ferrari](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2226796470-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Clive Rose\/Getty Images<\/p>\n