Andrea Kimi Antonelli took half within the forty eighth stage of the Olympic Torch Relay earlier than heading to Barcelona for personal Method 1 testing this week.
The Italian driver joined fellow athletes gymnast Tara Dragas, basketball participant Michele Antonutti, former footballer Luigi De Agostini, Olympic fencing champion Mara Navarria, footballer Alessia Tuttino, cross-country skier Venanzio Ortis and Olympic volleyball champion Rachele Sangiuliano.
Beginning in Gorizia, the Olympic Flame was carried via the rain, passing via Gradisca d’Isonzo and Sagrado earlier than arriving on the Redipuglia Struggle Memorial, the place a tribute occurred. Within the afternoon, the Olympic Torch Relay continued to Palmanova, Cividale del Friuli earlier than the stage resulted in Udine.
This occurred forward of personal testing in Barcelona for the 2026 Method 1 season. The Mercedes driver, who completed his rookie season with the Brackley outfit seventh within the drivers’ standings in 2025, is getting ready for the brand new laws launched for the 2026 season alongside his team-mate George Russell.
Whereas the 19-year-old had a formidable first yr within the championship, group chief Toto Wolff warned it might take till 2030 for Antonelli to achieve his peak.
“When can we count on him to peak? Three, 5 years from now,” he instructed the Past the Grid podcast. “And that’s the time we have to give him.”
He added: “I feel he is aware of quite a bit about this sport as a result of that’s what he lives and breathes daily. However there may be the human part that that you must mature as a younger man, deal with the dynamics and strain of this setting.
“However I imply, little question that that is entering into the best course.”
The 2026 F1 season will start with a double-header beginning with the Australian Grand Prix on 6-8 March, adopted by the Chinese language Grand Prix the week after.
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