Many consider Kimi Antonelli to be one of the most impressive drivers to start his career in Formula 1; however, Juan Pablo Montoya says that this is just the beginning of the challenge for him.
At just 19 years old, Antonelli is now the youngest F1 driver to lead the championship after winning both the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prixs.
Additionally, Kimi Antonelli has extended his points lead in the title race after winning the Miami Grand Prix, which makes him the only driver in history to win his first three Formula One races, all from pole position.
Kimi Antonelli currently holds a 20-point advantage over teammate George Russell and has already become the most talked-about driver so far this season.
With that attention, Juan Pablo Montoya believes that the Italian driver will experience increased pressure.
Read More
Juan Pablo Montoya predicts tougher tests ahead
Speaking exclusively to RacingNews365, the former Williams and McLaren driver admitted Kimi Antonelli’s current position is impressive but warned that expectations will only continue rising as the season progresses.
Montoya said, “It [his position] is good now, but the hard thing is the pressure is going to build through the year, and it’s going to get harder.”
“But hopefully by then he’ll have a gap.”
Read More
The seven-time grand prix winner also pointed toward the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix as a potentially important moment in Antonelli’s season.
“I think Canada is going to be a big telltale story because, being realistic, I think in China, George should have won,” he explained.
“In Japan, he was a little quicker than George. And, as well, he had the luck of the safety car, so everything lined up.”
While Montoya questioned certain moments from kimi Antonelli’s earlier victories, he admitted the teenager genuinely dominated in Miami.
“In Miami, he really dominated; he did a good job,” Montoya said.
“I think Lando Norris was quicker than him [late in the race], but he couldn’t pass him.”
Read More
The Colombian also expressed surprise at Mercedes’ conservative race strategy during the closing stages.
“[I am] Surprised a little bit that Mercedes wasn’t more aggressive on the strategy, but it’s normal racing.”
Why Mercedes could protect Kimi Antonelli from pressure
One major factor working in Kimi Antonelli’s favour, according to Montoya, is the experienced support system around him at Mercedes.
That includes race engineer Peter Bonnington, better known in F1 circles as Bono.
Bonnington previously played a key role during Lewis Hamilton’s dominant years at Mercedes and also worked alongside Michael Schumacher.
Montoya believes that experience could become crucial as Antonelli navigates the growing expectations around him.
“I think his engineering group, Bono and everybody have done it before a lot of times,” Montoya explained.
“They know what it takes, and I think that makes it much easier.”
Right now, Kimi Antonelli looks fearless.
But Formula 1 history is filled with young talents who struggled once title pressure, media attention and constant scrutiny started building over a full season.
Also Read: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team Own Up to Costly Call Involving Kimi Antonelli
