2016 Components 1 champion Nico Rosberg says he has been astonished by Kimi Antonelli’s maturity throughout the 2026 season.
Antonelli prolonged his lead within the drivers’ championship together with his eighth win of the season on the Spanish Grand Prix. He now sits 81 factors forward of his team-mate George Russell, who’s second within the standings.
Talking to Sky Sports activities F1 after the inaugural race on the Madring circuit, Rosberg drew comparisons between Antonelli’s present mindset and the immense stress he confronted throughout his championship-winning yr in 2016.
“We’re all human. He isn’t superhuman,” Rosberg mentioned. “I used to be completely terrified that it was exhausting to drive correctly. The nearer I acquired to the top of the season, it was unattainable for me to win races or get pole as a result of my mind capability had a lot worry of shedding my dream with a silly mistake or with one thing which may simply occur.
“Sooner or later he should really feel that a bit bit. Nevertheless it’s unbelievable up to now how stable and mature he’s. Even Toto cannot imagine it.”
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Dom Gibbons / Components 1 through Getty Pictures
Antonelli headed into the 2026 season together with his skilled team-mate George Russell as one of many important favourites for the title. However after changing into the youngest driver to guide the standings following back-to-back wins on the Chinese language and Japanese Grands Prix, the Italian has gone from energy to energy.
Whereas many have questioned when the stress will get to the 20-year-old, he continues to carry out as his maiden championship title attracts nearer.
Mercedes staff chief Toto Wolff described Antonelli as “cool as a cucumber” whereas chatting with Sky Sports activities F1 in Madrid.
“I believe he is cool – generally an inch too cool! When he brushes the wall 5 laps from the top and comes on the radio ‘examine the automotive’, you are like ‘actually, once more, white traces, partitions’ however perhaps that is how he retains himself within the zone,” Wolff mentioned.
“Virtually his youth helps him quite a bit as a result of he is 20. He may keep on this sport for 20 years with so many alternatives. He is so above all of our expectations and his personal. He is simply going with the movement.
“I believe there’s additionally a genetic issue. You might be born cool as a cucumber otherwise you’re not. You may see this in junior system or karting – taking stress simpler.
“He is taken this to a different stage. We’re speaking about Components 1. You see junior drivers crumbling in Components 2.
“He is simply doing his factor. We informed him ‘this can be a race the place we have to deliver it dwelling, want to attain factors whether or not it is P2 or P5, we do not care, simply drive it dwelling’. He does that and goes quick.”
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