Andrea Kimi Antonelli, at 19 years old, is the youngest championship leader in the history of Formula 1. It is no coincidence that the Italian is already seen as a future world champion, following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, among others. The Mercedes driver now reveals what he has learned from the two champions: ‘Not to be too influenced by opinions from outside.’
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli spoke in depth with the Italian FormulaPassion about the lessons from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. “One thing I have learned from them is not to be too influenced by opinions from outside, by what people think who are not close to you,” the young driver says. “I have learned not to be influenced and not to be afraid to make mistakes.”
Self-awareness
Kimi Antonelli is, however, not done learning yet. “When I look at Lewis and Max, there is one thing I would like to achieve: the self-awareness they have when they are in the car,” he continues. “Of their own potential and what the car can offer them under all circumstances. I find that something very beautiful and also difficult to achieve.”
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The young Italian also watched breathlessly in 2021, when both his idols fought each other fiercely for the world title. “The outcome was certainly very painful for us at Mercedes,” he naturally says. “But if you disregard the last race, I think they both deserved it. They were two drivers who went to the limit, especially Max on certain occasions. They drove as if it was their last race: all or nothing, life or death. As a driver, it was almost motivating to watch.”
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Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
