Imola, Italy (AFP) — Kimi Antonelli will draw inspiration from a personal message left by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton when he races in front of his family and friends on Italian soil for the first time in Formula One this weekend.

The Italian teenager, who succeeded Hamilton at Mercedes when he departed this year to Ferrari, said he has pinned the message to a wall where he can see it easily and frequently.

"It says a lot about Lewis as a person," said the 18-year-old driver from nearby Bologna.

"I can see a lot of the human side of Lewis, not only the driver."

"And reading the message, it made my year to receive such a message from such a figure in our sport."

"He has done so much, and he's still right there giving his best. And, he is one of the best in history. To receive such a message, of course, is amazing."

"It contains some advice, and I use it as motivation as well to go out there and do my best."

He said he has attached the message to a wall where he will see it.

"I'll keep it there because it is so nice that I just want to leave it there because every time I enter the room I can see the message. It's a really good reminder."

Antonelli is expected to be one of the main attractions at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari this weekend as he bids to confirm his precocious talent on Italian soil.

"For me, a home race in front of the Italian fans, my family and my friends who will be attending — it's going to be very important to manage the energy, especially in those moments where I can and try not to waste energy in something that isn’t useful."

"That’s going to be important because it’s really easy to hit the bottom of the pack before the end of the weekend. Already, for me, a normal weekend is very tiring and draining — so this is like double."

As Antonelli reflected on his future, his team boss, Toto Wolff reflected on his past and current friendship with Hamilton.

He said their relationship remains close and mostly unchanged.

"We’re still friends," he said.

"I spent a lot of time with him, travelling, and I'm still seeing him. It came to a point last year where, you know, it's like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend."

"At a certain stage, you say, well, maybe do something else this time around. And for Lewis, he needed a refresher, a reinvention."

"Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that, and certainly he also got terms that were interesting for him!"

Hamilton won 84 Grands Prix and six drivers' world titles with Mercedes before leaving for Ferrari where this weekend he represents them on Italian soil for the first time.