Kimi Antonelli will make his F1 debut with Mercedes, however that hasn’t stopped Italy’s passionate Tifosi from embracing their newest homegrown expertise.
Regardless of Ferrari’s near-religious following in Italy, the 18-year-old rookie has felt nothing however pleasure and assist from his compatriots forward of his first season on the pinnacle of motorsport.
Antonelli’s meteoric rise by means of the junior classes, together with a rookie Method 2 marketing campaign that noticed him take victories with Prema, has positioned him as Italy’s most promising F1 prospect in years.
Along with his debut season looming, the younger driver is absorbing the vitality from his house followers.
“The Tifosi, they’ve a very robust ardour for Ferrari,” Antonelli advised the media at this week’s F1 75 Dwell occasion in London.
“However I feel they’re very excited for a pleasant Italian driver. There’s a variety of hype round already.
“I feel it’s nice. There’s such a constructive vitality and I’m actually wanting ahead to racing most in my two house races [Imola and Monza]. As a result of, you recognize, many individuals are very excited.
“To be trustworthy, I don’t actually really feel [I’m in the] shadow. However, I imply, we’ll see how issues get.”
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Antonelli’s arrival has undeniably reignited pleasure in Italy, a nation that – fairly extremely – hasn’t celebrated a homegrown F1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Whether or not driving in Ferrari pink or Mercedes silver, the prospect of an Italian battling on the entrance of the grid is one thing the Tifosi received’t ignore.
Maintaining Expectations in Test
Whereas the excitement round Antonelli is simple, the rookie stays centered on the lengthy recreation slightly than speedy glory. He understands the problem that awaits him and is approaching his first season with a measured mindset.
“I don’t have a variety of expectations, to be trustworthy,” he admitted. “What I’m actually going to do is attempt to concentrate on the method. Attempt to get pleasure from it as nicely.
“However positively one thing I actually wish to do is begin with a great rhythm and attempt to construct from it and attempt to be constant.”
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The step as much as F1 is a frightening one, and Antonelli is conscious of the fierce competitors he’ll face. Whereas his pure intuition is to push for victory, he is aware of persistence shall be key.
“After all, the mindset is at all times going to be the identical. So attempt to go on monitor and win and do one of the best job doable,” he mentioned.
“However it’s a must to be life like on the identical time. As a result of the extent is tremendous aggressive.”
With that in thoughts, Antonelli is raring to develop alongside his extra skilled teammate, George Russell, and take advantage of his rookie marketing campaign.
“So I’ll simply attempt to concentrate on myself and attempt to work nicely with George and the workforce.”
As F1 gears up for the 2025 season opener in Australia, Antonelli is poised to make his mark.
With the assist of his homeland behind him and a steely willpower to succeed, Italy’s latest racing star is able to tackle the world—even when he’s carrying silver as an alternative of pink.
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