Former Alpine Method 1 crew principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Kimi Antonelli will turn out to be even stronger in his mid-20s.
Whereas the 19-year-old turned the youngest driver within the historical past of F1 to guide the championship on the Japanese Grand Prix, Szafnauer argued that the perfect is but to return from Antonelli.
The Italian driver has drawn the eye of the paddock with an unbelievable begin to the season. To date this season, Antonelli has claimed consecutive wins on the Chinese language, Japanese and Miami Grands Prix, the latter of which prolonged his lead over his team-mate George Russell to twenty factors.
“So, I feel he is a good driver,” former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley stated on the Excessive Efficiency Racing podcast, which he hosts alongside Szafnauer and Jake Humphrey.
“I feel he is a big expertise. Whether or not or not he can win world championships, I do not know. You have to wait and see. There are too many issues that he hasn’t executed but and does not know how one can do.”
George Russell, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Steven Tee / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Szafnauer stated: “Not incorrect. I feel he is nice and has acquired the potential to be world-class in time,” earlier than including: “He is a youngster and with time, physiologically, he’ll get mentally stronger as a result of all of the totally different compartments and areas of your mind join.
“And I am unsure these connections can have a shortcut. I feel it simply takes time. So I feel by the point he will get to 25, 26, you may see a fair higher Kimi Antonelli. Now George is a good driver, and can also turn out to be world champion. However Kimi, youthful, much less skilled, is a good driver.”
The Canadian Grand Prix will resume the 2026 season on 22-24 Might. Russell’s earlier success on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will likely be one other check for Antonelli because the Briton seems to reclaim momentum within the championship.
We would like your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
