James Ellison: Kimi Antonelli is a real talent

Over a career spanning 33 years, James Ellison has worked with many Formula 1 stars, including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. He knows very well what qualities distinguish a good racer from a world champion, so his praise is worth a lot.

17-year-old Kimi Antonelli, member of Mercedes’ youth program, has already earned it. The promising Italian is tipped as George Russell’s partner and the team has prepared an intensive program of private testing for him, driving the 2022 W13 car and making a very good impression on the team.

“Of course he has impressed everyone during the sessions he has already participated in,” said the head of Mercedes’ technical department. “During his first tests, after a lap or two, it started to look like he had experience driving Formula 1 cars, even though he had none. It’s a cliché, but I have to back it up by saying that Antonelli is consistent on the track and doesn’t make mistakes.

Young people often try too hard to impress and end up turning the car around. Although it happens the other way around: they are so afraid of the car turning over that they do not show what they are capable of.

It seems that Kimi in this regard immediately found his natural and correct rhythm, quite adequately assessed his sensations behind the wheel and at the same time acted almost flawlessly. He looks like he’s a real talent.”

For now, however, Antonelli’s main task is to show convincing results in Formula 2, where he made his debut this year. After five stages of the season, each consisting of two races, the Italian is in 6th place in the individual rankings, having collected points in seven races, and his best performance so far remains the 4th place, which he achieved in Melbourne, Imola. and Monaco.