Andrea Kimi Antonelli doesn’t have key similarities to a younger Max Verstappen, it has been claimed.
Teenage Antonelli’s spectacular begin to his rookie season with Mercedes has been in contrast by some to when Verstappen acquired his break, aged 17.
There are apparent discrepancies – none extra so than Antonelli working in a aggressive Mercedes, whereas Verstappen acquired began in a Toro Rosso.
Nonetheless, the character traits that Verstappen demonstrated in his early days additionally mark him out as totally different, it has been instructed.
Kimi Antonelli in comparison with Max Verstappen
“For me, it’s completely totally different,” L’Equipe journalist Fred Ferret advised the F1 Nation podcast when evaluating Antonelli to Verstappen.
“We noticed Max coming from a very long time. Particularly if you find yourself French as a result of he was in a battle with Esteban Ocon, which Esteban gained as a result of he crashed lower than Max.
“However within the first take a look at at Suzuka in 2014, in a press convention, he was shocked by questions on how younger he was.
“He checked out us like: “It’s a automotive… you assume I can’t drive a automotive?”
“Once you see Kimi going by means of the paddock, he’s not like that.”
Antonelli has been likened extra to the early days of Lewis Hamilton – who he ultimately changed at Mercedes this 12 months.
“I’d evaluate it to Lewis in 2007,” Ferret claimed.
“What McLaren did with him appears to be like the identical as Mercedes and Kimi.
“You gained’t see Kimi doing the identical errors as Max did at first of his profession.
“He has been nurtured, and there are lots of people caring for him.
“Toto Wolff is preserving his head down.”
Antonelli was famously taken across the F1 media centre at his debut to personally greet journalists and reporters.
Mercedes’ dealing with of their younger and dynamic expertise has been lauded, ever since staff principal Wolff boldly selected him to switch Hamilton.
His tempo has stood out within the first six F1 grands prix of the 12 months, however his standout second got here final weekend when he grabbed pole place for the dash race on the Miami Grand Prix.
Antonelli has completed inside the highest 10 at 5 out of six grands prix this season thus far.
