Former driver Robert Kubica calls on Kimi Antonelli to stay focused on the current title battle with teammate George Russell. The Pole believes that Antonelli is too preoccupied with side issues, including his social media. The young Mercedes talent currently leads the championship, but the F1 season has effectively only just begun. The question is whether Antonelli can maintain his form from the first three Grands Prix after the spring break.
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In conversation with the Italian SportMediaset, Kubica speaks sternly to the young Antonelli. “I hope he concentrates fully on racing,” he stated emphatically. “I see him doing too much nonsense on Instagram from time to time. While that certainly attracts attention, he shouldn’t waste energy on that now. His only focus should be on winning the championship.” After consecutive victories in China and Japan, Antonelli has a lead of 9 World Championship points over George Russell.
Confidence in Antonelli
Unlike some other experts, Kubica thinks that Antonelli does have the qualities to clinch the championship. “I don’t see why he couldn’t,” the Pole continued. “Formula 1 is a sport that comes with immense pressure. He has already dealt with that a lot in the past, especially last year. But he is surrounded by people who care about him, who have invested a lot of time and money in him and recognize his exceptional talent. Now he is paying back that trust.”
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Kubica himself was also considered a promising talent during his first F1 years. After his debut in 2006, he won his first Grand Prix in Canada in 2008. In 2011, however, a near-fatal rally crash brought an abrupt end to his F1 career. Nevertheless, he made a surprising return to Williams in 2019, where he became George Russell’s first teammate. After one season with the British team, he bid farewell to the sport once again. Last year, he signed with Ferrari for a fairytale victory during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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