(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, the environment around Kimi Antonelli is likely to be decisive for his World Championship duel with George Russell this year. The expert made this statement in the video podcast “Up To Speed”.
“Everything is new and exciting for them,” emphasizes the former McLaren driver. “But soon the constant attention will get on their nerves.”
“We saw it with Charles Leclerc at the beginning of his career, when things gradually improved. People rang his doorbell in Monaco, Monaco is quite small and no one stops you from ringing someone’s doorbell.”
Coulthard continues: “They have to deal with so much change, all these expectations. In the end, it is crucial how Toto [Wolff] manages all this, how Kimi’s father and mother can help their son to be exactly what he currently is: a racing driver who is not distracted by anything.”
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The 19-year-old does not have a big management team around him. Karun Chandhok tells a small anecdote from the Miami weekend on the Sky Sports F1 Show: “We were on the plane together and he smelled of champagne and sweat.”
“That is the smell of victory, Simon, right after the victory celebration. He looked at me almost apologetically and said: ‘Sorry, I haven’t had time to jump in the shower yet.’ And I just said: ‘My friend, enjoy it! You smell like success! No problem.'”
“He was there alone in front of me, no entourage, just with his small backpack somewhere at the airport. Like a student, right?”
Currently, Antonelli leads the Drivers’ World Championship by 20 points. So far, the Italian is the youngest World Championship leader in Formula 1 history and has already won three Grand Prix in 2026. Due to Mercedes’ strong performance, a World Championship duel with teammate Russell is emerging.