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Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Formula One prodigy Kimi Antonelli hungry for more podiums after maiden top-three finish
After recently graduating from high school in Italy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is looking forward to focusing fully on his racing. Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli came into the 2025 Formula One season touted by many observers as being the most exciting rookie. A steady start, which he juggled with his schooling responsibilities, sees him occupying seventh spot on the drivers' standings. At the Canadian Grand Prix Antonelli (18) claimed third spot to earn his first podium placing since making the big leap onto the senior circuit. The Mercedes driver is surfing a wave of expectation with the same precision that he handles the steering wheel. Strong start Antonelli announced himself to the world with aplomb during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March, finishing fourth behind rivals Lando Norris (McLaren) and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Antonelli's teammate George Russell rounded off the podium, but the Italian teenager caught the eye for a self-assured drive amid wet and gloomy conditions. From the 10 races of the season to date, Antonelli has six top-10 finishes — including that maiden podium placing in Australia. However, it has not been all plain sailing for the highly regarded youngster. He also has two retirements to his name — including during his home race, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Having invited his fellow matrics to watch him on the race track for the May contest, Antonelli was forced to retire after lap 46 of the 63-lap race. He was in 10th spot at the time, before a throttle issue crippled his car. Antonelli hinted that he may have been caught up in the excitement of the occasion, vowing to take the disappointment of that race in his stride and use it as fuel for future success. 'Definitely this weekend was good learning. On my side, I didn't manage everything well. I didn't take enough time for myself on most occasions. That hurt me for this weekend,' reflected Antonelli in May. 'I was wasting energy. It affected the performance in the car. On that side, it was a really good lesson,' the teenager stated. High school graduate It may have been a harsh lesson, but it seems to have steered Antonelli in the right direction. On the back of his maiden podium appearance, Antonelli has graduated from high school. During that ill-fated home Grand Prix, Antonelli shared how difficult it was juggling being an elite racer and preparing for his final exams as a high school student. 'Well, I'm not able to attend school, but I'm trying to study as much as I can. Especially in those little moments I have free time,' the Mercedes prodigy said. 'I'm getting help from the school as well to try to catch up because I've definitely missed a lot of work during this time.' Antonelli has now completed secondary school after passing his exams. This will allow him to focus fully on racing. After tasting being on the podium for the first time, the 18-year-old will be hungry to make a few more returns to it. Winning a race or two would be a welcome bonus. 'I'm super happy to have finished this journey, which was important to finish. Now I can just focus on racing, and it's a big relief as well,' Antonelli said. The rookie said such was the pressure of writing his exams that he did not even have a moment to wrap his head around his milestone in Canada. However, with the weight of his studies off his shoulders Antonelli is beginning to grasp what his Canadian Grand Prix display can lead to. 'It was such a special moment. I remember going on the podium, I had goosebumps, especially after hearing people chanting my name. It was a really special moment,' said Antonelli. 'Also to see the whole team in the pit lane, my dad as well, that is a memory that I will remember forever. It took me quite long because when something such as this happens, it's something so big that it takes a little bit for the brain to realise,' the Italian driver added. '[It] was a really good result, big relief on my side, and this has to be a turning point because obviously now I showed to myself that I can do it. Now, because the feeling is so good, you just want more,' Antonelli stated. Great expectations Antonelli was one of a handful of rookies who made the big leap into Formula One this season. Others include Oliver Bearman (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), Jack Doohan (Alpine), plus Racing Bulls pair Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson. While the majority of his counterparts have struggled for traction in their debut seasons, Antonelli has expertly handled the pressure of expectation. Mercedes could have opted for an experienced driver to step into the massive void left by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Instead, they trusted academy prospect Antonelli with the hotseat alongside Russell. Antonelli joined the Mercedes academy in 2019 after a successful career in the karting scene. His team has been honing him for this moment ever since. Mercedes even fast-tracked his rise up the ranks as they parachuted him straight into Formula Two in 2024. Having enjoyed success in Formula Regional, the next step for the Italian teenager would have been rising up to Formula Three. He skipped this step as Mercedes prepared him for the main event. Even as he finished sixth on the standings that season, his team felt he was ready to compete in Formula One this year. So far, Antonelli has vindicated this faith and the Mercedes hierarchy is backing the Italian to be a major force in years to come. Initially signed on a one-year contract, Antonelli's positive start has already triggered conversations of a long-term partnership. 'Antonelli will probably need a three-year programme. That's how long a young driver needs to challenge a more experienced and faster teammate. But we would never have entrusted the seat to a driver who we don't consider a potential world champion,' Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said on the Bloomberg Podcast. The team's dreams for Antonelli are major. However, early in his career the youngster has shown great ability when it comes to handling pressure. If he can maintain his upwards trajectory, he can join racers such as Michael Schumacher, Hamilton and Verstappen in living up to a promising debut season. On the flip side of the coin, he could end up like Nico Hulkenberg or Pastor Maldonado — two young prospects who never quite lived up to the expectations that were placed on their shoulders. DM
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Automotive
- Canada News.Net
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll (hand) to return for Canadian GP
(Photo credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images) Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll will drive in his home-nation race, the Canadian Grand Prix, this weekend after undergoing a procedure to treat pain in his hand and wrist. Stroll, 26, missed the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1. The pain is believed to have stemmed from a 2023 medical procedure that was related to a cycling accident. 'We are pleased to confirm that Lance Stroll will be back with the team competing in Montreal this weekend,' a team statement read on Wednesday, declaring him ready to drive the 70 laps of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. 'He had a successful medical procedure to resolve the symptoms he has been experiencing and completed some laps in an old F1 car at Paul Ricard earlier this week. 'Lance is feeling fit and healthy, and is excited to compete in front of his home crowd.' Stroll said he was looking forward to being in the driver's seat. 'I am excited to get back behind the wheel with the team for my home Grand Prix this weekend. I was always going to fight hard to be ready to race in front of the Montreal crowd. 'I'm feeling good after my procedure and put some laps in at Paul Ricard this week to prepare. Thanks for all the support, see you guys this weekend.'Stroll has 14 points on the F1 circuit this season, putting him in 12th place. His achieved his best position of 2025 in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix when he finished sixth. He has made 175 starts in Formula 1. His highest finish is third place, which he achieved three times. Stroll's billionaire father, Lawrence Stroll, owns the Aston Martin team.
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Automotive
- Canada News.Net
F1 replaces Imola with Madrid on 2026 calendar
(Photo credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images) The 24-race Formula 1 slate for 2026 features a grand prix in Madrid replacing Italy's Emilia Romagna GP at Imola. Governing body FIA approved the calendar on Tuesday during a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council. The final race on Imola's current contract was last month, won by four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The 2026 race in Madrid, first announced in 2024, is scheduled for Sept. 13. The season opens in Melbourne, Australia, on March 8 and runs through Dec. 6 at Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Three races remain on the U.S. calendar: Miami (May 3), Austin, Texas (Oct. 25) and Las Vegas (Nov. 21). The 2026 F1 event schedule: --March 6-8, Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne --March 13-15, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai --March 27-29, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka --April 10-12, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir --April 17-19, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah --May 1-3, Miami Grand Prix, Miami Gardens --May 22-24, Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal --June 5-7, Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco --June 12-14, Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona --June 26-28, Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg --July 3-5, British Grand Prix, Silverstone --July 17-19, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps --July 24-26, Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest --Aug. 21-23, Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort --Sept. 4-6, Italian Grand Prix, Monza --Sept. 11-13, Madrid Grand Prix, Madrid --Sept. 25-27, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku --Oct. 9-11, Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore --Oct. 23-25, U.S. Grand Prix, Austin --Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Mexico Grand Prix, Mexico City --Nov. 6-8, Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo --Nov. 19-21, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas --Nov. 27-29, Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail --Dec. 4-6, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Young Antonelli repays Wolff's trust with podium finish
New Delhi: The Montreal crowd applauded as Mercedes driver George Russell took the chequered flag at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, his first win of the season. The ovation got louder as Red Bull ace and four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished second. But the loudest and most emotional reaction of the day was reserved for a certain Andrea Kimi Antonelli, better known by his middle name, who achieved the maiden podium of his career. At 18 years and 294 days, the Italian became the third youngest podium finisher in the history of Formula 1, behind Verstappen and Lance Stroll. An extremely affable character, the teenager is loved by most in the Mercedes paddock due to his humility, wit and humorous personality. But on track, he is as fast as they come. Experts questioned Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's decision when he decided to bring on board the youngster with very little formula racing experience. After racing in Formula 4 for a couple of seasons, Antonelli skipped F3 to directly race in Formula 2 where he finished a respectable sixth last season. But to pick him in a multiple championship winning team, that too to fill in the giant shoes of Lewis Hamilton was a humongous task. But having watched Antonelli in the junior series, Wolff trusted his instinct and the Italian's racing skill. And Antonelli hasn't disappointed, repaying the faith in his maiden F1 season. At 18 years and 202 days, the Bolognese became the third youngest to race in F1 at the season opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in March, behind Verstappen and Stroll, finishing a mighty fourth in his debut race. At the Japanese Grand Prix in April, he became the youngest driver to set a fastest lap at 18 years and 225 days when his radio communication with his engineer Peter Bonnington — famous as Hamilton's race engineer 'Bono' went viral on social media. Told he was the fastest man on the track, Antonelli had responded with, 'I'm giving it everything, mate' to which Bono has replied, 'Good lad.' Antonelli showed his pace in the first six races of the season, coming close to the podium despite his lack of experience. But at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Antonelli's time had finally arrived after he made a brilliant and opportunistic move on championship leader Oscar Piastri to climb up to third from fourth and then put reigning world champion Verstappen under pressure for second place on an overtake friendly circuit. He was most impressive in the latter stages of the race defending against the rampaging McLarens of Piastri and Lando Norris, both on fresher tyres, making strategic moves over the backmarkers to create a gap behind him. His fantastic race craft finally saw Antonelli come of age, earning him a podium at the pinnacle of the sport especially after three races without points — two of which were due to mechanical issues. 'It was so stressful for me. But I am super happy! I had a good start. I managed to jump into P3 and I just stayed up there at the front. The last stint, I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and I killed a bit of the front left tyre and then I struggled a bit at the end,' said a beaming Antonelli, waving to the big crowd which was chanting 'Kimi, Kimi'. 'I'm really happy to bring the podium home for the team,' added Antonelli, who also became the first Italian driver since Jarno Trulli in 2009 to finish on the F1 podium. For a driver who passed his driving license test earlier this year, Antonelli has displayed immense maturity in the 10 Grands Prix this season yet and not just on Sunday. The result also helped Mercedes clinch their first double podium since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix in November when the pair of Russell and Hamilton ended P1 and P2. 'I knew Kimi coming up through the karting ranks, people were already saying great things, so I was keeping an eye on him. What's impressive is he's naturally quick. What I like is his level-headed, calm approach,' said Verstappen, who is the youngest to win a race. 'Those are great qualities to have. I was never in doubt that the podium would come this year. I'm very happy that it happened for him. It gives you more confidence. It's a nice boost. And it will only get better.' What was once Wolff's belief is slowly translating into reality with the Mercedes rookie due for many podiums if he keeps driving like this.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Ferrari F1 boss slams disrespectful and damaging rumours
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 13, 2025, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo MONTREAL (Reuters) -Ferrari Formula One boss Fred Vasseur slammed media reports in Italy that he said were disrespectful and distracting for employees and damaging the team. Speaking a day after seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton defended his boss as the man to lead the team back to the top, Vasseur showed he was hurting as he gave his own personal response. Ferrari are second to McLaren in the constructors' standings, but 197 points behind, and have not won a Formula One championship since 2008. Some media reports in Italy have suggested Vasseur's position is at risk, along with other senior employees, and that driver Charles Leclerc could be looking for a move elsewhere. Hamilton's future has also been questioned. "It's not about myself, I believe, because this I can manage," said Vasseur, who started out saying he would have to remain calm. "It's more about the people of the team. To throw their names like this, I think it's just disrespectful for them, for the family. "Perhaps it's to give s*** to the team, but in this case, I don't see the point," he said of the speculation, a comment that could put him in hot water with the governing FIA for using bad language. He suggested it might be the only way some reporters existed. "This is probably more the reason, but it's really hurting the team... when you are fighting for the championship, every single detail makes a difference. From the beginning of the weekend, we are just thinking about this. "If it's their target to put the team in this situation, they reached their goal, but I think it's not like this that we'll be able to win a championship -- and at least not with this kind of journalists around us." The Frenchman said he knew what he was taking on when he became principal in 2023, and could handle it, but it was hard for employees with families to read that their positions might be at risk. He pointed out that Leclerc had a long-term contract and repeatedly said that he wanted to stay. "Each single interview from the beginning of the season, he's telling that he wants to stay with Ferrari, he wants to win with Ferrari, his future is with Ferrari," said the team boss. "But every single Monday, we have articles telling that Charles will go next year. At one stage, I don't know what we have to do." (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
