Lewis Hamilton shoots Kimi Antonelli 'level up' warning

Lewis Hamilton has set his sights on closing the gap to Kimi Antonelli in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, stating he is motivated to “level up” his performances as the season progresses.

Antonelli has won five consecutive races to build a commanding lead at the top of the standings, with Hamilton now emerging as his closest challenger.

The Ferrari driver moved up to second in the championship after securing his third podium finish of the season and currently trails Antonelli by 66 points.

Hamilton also praised his Mercedes successor impressive form and commended the team for its return to the front of the grid after several challenging years.

“It's all good, I think, for any of us competitors to talk about each other,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“I don’t know how much more I can say that I haven’t already said in the past. He’s doing a phenomenal job. 

“He’s got an amazing team around him with Bono, with Toto and the whole team. And I’m really happy to see them doing what they do best.”

The current season has been a much more positive one for Hamilton compared to his maiden outing with Ferrari in 2025.

While the Italian squad is far from getting involved in the championship fight, Hamilton asserted he is motivated to make it happen.

“And then for him in this moment to be delivering on the level that he’s delivering at, it’s awesome to see,” he said.

“It just encourages me to want to level up and I think encourages everybody wanting to level up. 

“And he’s only 19, so just imagine what the future holds for him. But I’m going to do my best to try and chase him down for the rest of the year. 

“And as I said, just really, it’s a real privilege to witness it, be on the podium with two of the youngest guys here. 

“Very much kind of remind me of me when I was back in 2007.”