Antonelli Plans To Follow Hamiltons Advice

Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli was eight-years-old when he first entered the Formula One paddock after being smuggled in by his racing driver dad inside a stack of tyres with an umbrella on top.

The Italian, now 18, showed Reuters the photographic evidence on his mobile ahead of the sports season launch in London.

There will be nowhere to hide when the season starts in Australia on March 16, and the pass will be no problem, with Antonelli taking over the seat vacated by seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton when he left Mercedes for Ferrari.

The youngster, who passed his driving test only last month, said he plans to follow the Britons advice and just shut out the hype.

He said mainly to enjoy, not worrying about the external circumstances just work on yourself, enjoy the process. That was the main thing he said, he explained, highlighting the consistency of Hamiltons sensational 2007 rookie season.