Why Antonelli Italy’s great motorsport hope is

Kimi Antonelli had invited his buddies. A handful, five, six friends, as he said. And on top of that still his entire school class. Antonelli is only 18 years old, which is why his school career has not yet been completed. Antonelli is also a professional racing driver, his career already has him in the formula 1 flushed.

The student Antonelli drives in the premier class of motorsport. This can lead to overlaps in the deadlines, which is why the Italian is only occasionally sitting in the classroom. However, he assured that he tries to catch up as much material as possible in free time. His school is also very helpful. So it should work with a decent degree.

Formula 1 will meet this weekend for its first race this season on European soil. The seventh race of the season is pending in Imola. It is a home game for Antonelli. The 18-year-old grew up in Bologna, just a few kilometers from the race track. This is also why it is the best opportunity for him to invite his classmates. In any case, on Thursday they all appeared in the paddock – including the business teacher.

Antonelli also cuts a good figure on the ball

In any case, Antonelli was very happy about the visit and used the time for a short football game between all the team trucks. The racing driver is said to have done quite skillfully – but was not really spared by his buddies either. That’s exactly what he likes. « They treat me the same as before, and that means a lot to me, » said Antonelli.

Down -to -earthness is important to him. Not everyone would succeed in such a situation. After all, the 18-year-old does not drive for any Formula 1 team, but he followed Mercedes on record world champion Lewis Hamilton. A very risky decision, as Mercedes Motorsport head Toto Wolff grants. But one that has paid off so far.

Antonelli sorted himself in sixth place in the driver’s ranking after six races. So he is even ahead of his predecessor. However, this is also related to the fact that Hamilton and Ferrari are now in a real crisis after their cooperation, which started with a lot of euphoria.

The last thing went at the race in Miami that Hamilton publicly blasphemed on team radio about strategy decisions that were made late. He suggested whether you didn’t want to meet a tea break. Apparently there are no hurry. « I fully understand the frustration. They are champions, they want to win races, » said Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur about Hamilton and his teammates Charles Leclerc.

Antonelli, who is well received by the Tifosi with his carefreeness, also wants this. His family will be there in Imola, as well as many friends and acquaintances. The support should be huge. Although he is aware that the most fan hearts fly in Imola as in Monza. The Scuderia outshines everything in Italy. Many are feverish with her.

But Antonelli is the man of the future. The great hope of a motorsport nation. When an Italian last won a Formula 1 race, Antonelli wasn’t even born. That was Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. At the age of twelve, Antonelli had been included in the Mercedes youth promotion program. Since then he has continued to develop steadily.

Antonelli dreams of podium placement at home race

The fact that he was already promoted to a regular driver this season surprised. Many experts would have advised to start with a smaller team, Toto Wolff said. At Williams. The Mercedes managers decidedly differently. You trusted Antonelli.

He justifies this decision through good performance. In Miami, as the youngest driver, he won the pole position for the sprint race. In Japan, he temporarily led the race and got the fastest round. Evidence of his skills. Now he only has to drive constant over the entire racing distance. So at the same time quickly and carefully. All one thing of experience.

Antonelli has big dreams. Especially before his appearance. Of course, he admits, he has already thought about how a podium placement would feel here. Of course he would like to win. This is not realistic for the time being. Above all, the two McLaren pilots Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris are still too far away. But third place? For Kimi Antonelli it would be a dream. Especially before the eyes of his classmates.