Andrea Kimi Antonelli has never been short of admirers, some of them exceptional. Above all stand out Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who have often spoken warmly about the Italian talent of Mercedes. Conversely, the Italian driver acknowledges having learned a lot from the two multiple world champions, from whom he was struck during the 2021 world championship battle, as he commented during the exclusive interview granted to FormulaPassion.
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The relationship with Lewis and Max
The relationship between Antonelli, Verstappen and Hamilton is one of mutual respect, definitely formative for Kimi’s personal growth. The Mercedes driver acknowledges having learned a lot from Lewis and Max, identifying one quality in particular that he would like to develop over time: “One thing I learned from them is not to be too influenced by external opinions, by what people who are not close to you think, who just criticize, not even constructively. I learned not to be influenced and not to be afraid of making mistakes. Looking at Lewis and Max, however, one thing I would like to achieve is the awareness they have when they get in the car of their potential and what the car can give them in any condition. I think it is a very beautiful thing and also difficult to achieve.”
Certainly, winning helps to gain confidence in one’s abilities and there is no doubt that if Antonelli continues to accumulate successes, he would also mature that awareness he recognizes in Hamilton and Verstappen. “Every year you learn to know yourself better, the car and everything,” comments Kimi. “Having that kind of awareness makes the difference, because in every condition they are there [to compete]. It is something I would like to achieve too.”
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The 2021 World Championship
The season that best showcased the qualities of Hamilton and Verstappen was that of 2021, delivering a world championship battle that Antonelli was able to experience from a privileged position within the Mercedes Academy. “As a spectator it was an incredible world championship,” recalls Kimi. “Certainly the finale was very painful for us at Mercedes, but in the end, putting aside what happened in the last race, I think they both deserved it, because both of them had an incredible season, making a masterful difference over all the others. In the end, it was just them and seeing them fight was incredible. They were two drivers who went beyond the limit, especially Max on certain occasions. They drove as if it were their last race: all or nothing, life or death. As a driver, it is almost motivating to watch.”
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