Former Haas Formulation 1 group principal Guenther Steiner feels Italian followers are but to totally embrace Kimi Antonelli, suggesting the nation’s conventional concentrate on is presently overshadowing the 19-year-old’s achievements.
Talking on following Antonelli’s sixth victory of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, Steiner shared his view on the dynamic throughout the Italian motorsport fanbase.
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“I spoke with a couple of Italian journalists in Spa about this as a result of I get the identical feeling—he doesn’t get the credit score he deserves in some way,” Steiner argued.
Steiner drew a parallel with Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner.
“In Italy, you’ve now bought two excellent sportsmen,” Steiner famous. “Jannik Sinner in tennis, who’s simply strolling away [with it], and you then’ve bought Kimi Antonelli. However Kimi doesn’t get the identical credit score as Jannik Sinner, and I discover that one bizarre, to say the least.
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“It has to do with Ferrari being seen because the Italian group, the nationwide group. Extra individuals nonetheless have to get used to the truth that there may be an Italian F1 driver, who is definitely world-class, and never solely a group, as a result of there wasn’t one for a really, very very long time.”
Regardless of the perceived sluggish uptake, Steiner stays optimistic that Antonelli’s Italian fanbase will enhance.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“He deserves extra, and I believe there may be now a rising consciousness [that] this man is definitely particular,” he added.
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“We have to pay extra consideration to him and possibly let Ferrari go somewhat bit.”
When requested if it wanted to be one or the opposite, Steiner clarified: “Possibly simply don’t put all of your eggs in that basket: Ferrari. There’s any person on the market who you’ll be able to cheer on. He deserves greater than he will get for the time being in Italy.”
Antonelli has been one of many greatest surprises of the 2026 season thus far. Whereas his team-mate went into the season as a transparent favorite, the Italian driver took the lead within the standings after back-to-back wins in China and Japan.
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He then went on to say victories in Miami, Canada, Monaco and Belgium. He presently leads the drivers’ championship with 204 factors, 45 factors away from in second place.
Pictures from Hungarian GP – ThursdayA common view of the Paddock
A common view of the Paddock
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Circuit environment
Circuit environment
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
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Ryo Hirakawa
Ryo Hirakawa
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Staff
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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
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A common view of the Paddock
A common view of the Paddock
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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Staff
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Aston Martin F1 group
Aston Martin F1 group
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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Normal view
Normal view
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Audi F1 group
Audi F1 group
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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
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Cadillac F1 group
Cadillac F1 group
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David Coulthard
David Coulthard
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
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Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Followers
Followers
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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