Andrea Kimi Antonelli is officially the youngest polesitter in Formula 1 history. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver took the first starting position in China, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record. Max Verstappen – who himself became the youngest race winner ever in his second season – and Lewis Hamilton – Kimi Antonelli’s predecessor at Mercedes – congratulate the young Italian.
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has secured his first pole position. The Italian became the youngest polesitter ever, breaking a record that had been held by Sebastian Vettel since 2008. The four-time world champion was 21 years old when he drove to pole at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, two years older than 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver was therefore able to receive several congratulations after the Chinese qualifying session.
“Great job,” Max Verstappen wrote under an Instagram post announcing Antonelli’s pole. Lewis Hamilton, who took third place on the grid, was in the press conference after the session with his Mercedes successor. Like Antonelli, the current Ferrari driver also began his career at a top team alongside an experienced driver. “They are different scenarios, but perhaps some similarities,” Hamilton says of the comparison. “I was obviously a rookie then against a two-time world champion (Fernando Alonso, ed.) who had been around for a very, very, very long time.”
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‘He took my seat and got off to a flying start’
Although it is only his second season, Hamilton believes Antonelli has the ‘wisdom’ and perseverance to make it even further at Mercedes. “He took over my seat and got off to a flying start immediately. I don’t think he needs advice – he just achieved his first pole position,” Hamilton adds. “So there is actually nothing I can give him. He has all the wisdom I think he needs, and I think it’s just important to enjoy it. And to just keep doing what he’s doing.”
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