(Motorsport-Total.com) – Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli is currently on cloud nine after this year’s Formula 1 season start: The 19-year-old is currently the youngest world championship leader the premier class has ever seen in its history, after the two Grand Prix victories in China and Japan.
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Nevertheless, Antonelli is not letting himself be lured into premature euphoria. “I always try to stay grounded, especially after China,” said the 19-year-old on the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, especially with regard to his debut victory in Shanghai.
“Then I focus on the next race, because it’s easy to get carried away by these incredible moments. But ultimately, the season is still very long, and the goal remains the same. We just want to experience more of that feeling.”
Mercedes mechanics play Antonelli prank
“To give you an an idea of how to keep a driver grounded: We had a filming day at Silverstone today,” adds Bradley Lord, who recently became deputy to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
“Kimi probably thought it was funny to drive out of the garage with spinning wheels, leaving huge black marks that the guys then have to clean up every time he leaves the garage. So he drifts into the pit lane thinking, ‘I’m the greatest!’, and the guys have to clean everything up.”
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“So they take all the dirty cleaning rags and stuff them into the sleeves of his jacket,” says Lord with a grin, “just to make sure they can give him a special thank you when he comes out again and puts on the jacket.”
Antonelli: “We’re having a great time together”
A joke that Antonelli takes with humor. “I’ve been with Mercedes since 2018. Since I was twelve, it’s been an incredible journey so far. I’ve grown up with them,” the 19-year-old Italian recalls his long history with the team.
“Last year, the transition wasn’t difficult for me because I had already worked with the team,” the Mercedes youngster looks back on his Formula 1 debut season. “I knew many of the members. So it was a very smooth transition.”
“It was fantastic. Mercedes has offered me so many great opportunities since my karting days. And now we’re having a great time together. Hopefully it continues like this, but I’m very happy where I am. And I have so much support.”