Kimi Antonelli has recently emerged as one of the most promising young talents in Formula One. Mercedes’ director, Toto Wolff, has praised the Italian driver as a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton due to his exceptional abilities. Mercedes has been backing Antonelli from the start of his career, eventually leading to him being signed by the team in F2.
Moreover, the youngster didn’t disappoint in the F2 season and has consistently performed well. Therefore, his performance has boosted the chances of Mercedes promoting him to F1 in the next season. Meanwhile, Kimi opened up about the pressure of driving at the pinnacle of motorsports.
Future ‘Hamilton’ Talks About Formula One, Mercedes, And More
Kimi Antonelli recently shared his thoughts on the pressures and challenges of being a young driver with potential opportunities in Formula 1. He acknowledged that some concern is natural, especially with the fear of underperforming. However, Antonelli views this pressure as a valuable chance to learn, grow, and enjoy the moment. He emphasized that he’s not worried about being judged, as Mercedes has already formed a favorable opinion of his abilities despite a less-than-ideal start to his Formula 2 season.
Antonelli remains calm and prepared, ready to seize any opportunity enthusiastically and make the most of it. While rumors about his future have added some pressure, he chooses to focus on enjoying his current opportunities. Reflecting on a recent experience, Antonelli described the thrill of driving in challenging conditions, including rain and even snow, during the first lap. As the track conditions improved on the second day, he could fully appreciate the car’s performance, from its power and deceleration to its aerodynamic load.
Antonelli also expressed his amazement at the level of attention and support he received at the track, with numerous engineers and mechanics dedicated to running a single car. He noted the importance of communicating effectively and providing detailed feedback to the team, a skill that took time to develop but now feels second nature to him.
How A Call From Toto Wolff Helped Antonelli Dominate The F2
After a challenging qualifying session at Silverstone, Kimi Antonelli received a confidence boost from a conversation with Toto Wolff. The Mercedes team principal contacted Antonelli, offering support and guidance during a tough time. The talk had an immediate impact, as Antonelli went on to win the next day.
Moreover, the young Italian was thrilled by his victory, and the moment was made even more special when he spotted Wolff celebrating below the podium, showing his support. This heartwarming moment highlighted the strong relationship between the two, with Wolff’s trust in Antonelli playing a significant role in paving the way for his potential entry into Formula 1.
However, Antonelli is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. When he was informed of the plan to potentially move up, he acknowledged that it would be a significant leap. Normally, drivers progress to Formula 3 first, but the ambitious challenge immediately appealed to him.