(Motorsport-Total.com) – Kimi Antonelli is currently not only leading the Formula 1 World Championship, the 19-year-old is also praised by many fans of the top class for his open and honest manner. However, expert David Coulthard fears that this will not last forever.
Read more What surprised us the most in the first three races
“That will change,” announces the 2001 vice world champion in the podcast Up To Speed and explains that for Antonelli in his second Formula 1 season everything is still “new and exciting.” But eventually, that will inevitably change.
For the Mercedes driver, the situation will sooner or later “become tiring because people constantly want something from him,” predicts Coulthard. As the championship leader, the Italian is already much more in the spotlight than in his rookie season.
According to Coulthard, it may “not be this year,” but “surely” sooner or later Formula 1 will take a toll on Antonelli’s strength. “We don’t want him to lose this enthusiasm already,” emphasizes the 13-time Grand Prix winner.
Formula 1 drivers who won their first two races back to back
Furthermore, Coulthard explains that the situation could also become noticeable on the racetrack. “The other question is whether he can maintain the pace of a Grand Prix season, because that is exhausting,” explains the Scot from his own experience.
Read more Red Bull without Lambiase: Max Verstappen talks about change
“I think that’s exactly what we saw last year with Oscar Piastri,” he draws a comparison and explains that the Australian made “a series of mistakes” in the second half of the 2025 season, which ultimately led to him not becoming world champion in the end.
“That’s exactly where Lando [Norris], who had more experience, was able to prevail,” says Coulthard. Antonelli is currently in a very similar situation to Piastri because he leads the championship ahead of his much more experienced teammate George Russell.
Expert Ralf Schumacher also recently emphasized that Antonelli must not “cramp up” during the course of the year. Because that is exactly what happened to Piastri in the title fight last year.
Read more Long-awaited debut: Colton Herta finally races in Formula 1