HINCHCLIFFE: Mercedes took a huge gamble on 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli – but he already looks like the real deal

It was some of the gorgeous driver bulletins in latest reminiscence. A childhood dream come true, a dangerous transfer for crew and driver in addition to one which introduced an immense quantity of media consideration and, consequently, strain.

As he lined up on the grid in Melbourne, in a automotive he barely knew, in essentially the most difficult circumstances a Grand Prix driver can face, the world watched to see if he’d have the ability to ship.

And boy did Kimi Antonelli ship.