Andrea Kimi Antonelli was more nervous than he had been for some time. A racing driver’s career can often hinge on sliding doors moments such as these. The 18-year-old wasn’t trying to secure a Formula One drive. He completed that mission months ago when he signed with Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton.

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Mercedes fans have been accustomed to seeing the 44 of Lewis Hamilton alongside George Russell's 63 on their cars, but with a new driver in Kimi Antonelli comes a new racing number