As an 18-year-old rookie taking over Lewis Hamilton's spot at Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is having an introduction to Formula 1 unlike any other. Fortunately, he's had some advice from the seven-time champion.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, is the young man chosen by Mercedes to fill the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time F1 champion chose to leave for Ferrari

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.

Mercedes chose to replace Hamilton with 18-year-old Antonelli in what could prove to be an interesting subplot ahead of the opening race of the new season in March.

Rookie driver Andrea Kimi Anonelli has said he plans to follow the advice of Lewis Hamilton, who he is replacing at Mercedes this season, by shutting out the "hype."