Two-time System 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes the escalating intra-team rivalry at Mercedes between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli is strictly what the collection wants.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile swap to Ferrari, Russell was broadly anticipated to imagine the place of staff chief on the Brackley outfit. Whereas he took Antonelli below his wing within the Italian’s rookie season, Russell now finds himself battling towards his team-mate for the championship title.
The 19-year-old grew to become the youngest driver to guide the championship after back-to-back wins on the Chinese language and Japanese Grands Prix, and has since gone from power to power.
Many have questioned whether or not the strain can be an excessive amount of for Antonelli, however he has reached the summer time break with six grand prix wins and a 50-point lead over Hamilton within the standings. Russell sits third, 59 factors behind Antonelli.
“Kimi Antonelli is doing a unbelievable job, and he’s displaying his potential,” Fittipaldi instructed F1.com.
“I’ve recognized him since he was racing in karts many, a few years in the past. I do know Marco, his father, very nicely, and I do know the household nicely. Marco even coached my son Emmo in F4. It’s a fantastic Italian household from Bologna – good folks, racing folks.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Andrej Isakovic / AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Fittipaldi argued that the arrival of a aggressive younger driver difficult a number of the extra established drivers on the grid is strictly what F1 wants.
“I believe for the game it’s good to have a brand new boy on the block, you already know? He’s solely 19, and he can win the championship. He’s placing large strain on George Russell,” he added.
“George, once more, has proven he’s robust. If George takes that strain in a optimistic method, like he confirmed many occasions he can do, I believe it is going to be very fascinating for the followers. It’s going to be a cube for the remainder of the championship.”
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