Despite Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 World Championship title: work to be done for the Mercedes team

On race day in Mexico, Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history. At the tender age of 20 years, 2 months and 7 days, the Mercedes prodigy was crowned the youngest world champion of all time by a wide margin, with four race weekends still to go. He is the first Italian Formula 1 champion in 73 years. “For such a major motorsport nation, which has actually always had drivers in Formula 1, it’s actually quite crazy,” says ServusTV expert Christian Klien.

Reflecting on the potential of the rising star from Bologna, the former Grand Prix driver adds: “If he’s already this good, he’ll only get stronger in the coming years. Every race win brings more confidence, and the world title certainly gives him another boost. He’s developing into a real force to be reckoned with.”

Down-to-earth and under no pressure: how Kimi Antonelli drove to the world title

“Kimi does everything with incredible ease and doesn’t let the pressure get to him at all. Perhaps because of his youth, as this is the first time he’s been in this situation. I really do believe him when he says he never had the World Championship on his mind and always just takes it race by race,” emphasises Klien, who also praises Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff for having carefully nurtured the super-talent over the years.

“I think it’s remarkable how down-to-earth Kimi has remained – despite the many highlights such as in Monaco or at his home Grand Prix in Monza, where he drove from the very back of the grid to first place. He always comes across as very cheerful at the podium ceremonies and press conferences too,” says the 43-year-old.

Despite Antonelli’s strong performance and the foreseeable overall victory for Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, Klien also warns that Mercedes has some work to do over the winter. “The latest upgrade hasn’t really paid off. If they want to be in contention for the World Championship again, they need to make further developmental strides.”

Topic of the week

World Champion Kimi Antonelli: record-breaker, heart-breaker, the Tifosi’s dream

With his third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest of the 36 Formula 1 world champions to date. The 20-year-old Italian is on a record-breaking run. The Tifosi are dreaming of Antonelli in a Ferrari.

Mathias Brunner

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