Pino Allievi’s analysis of the Japanese GP won by Andrea Kimi Antonelli
But is he human or does he come from Mars? One has to wonder, after what he showed at Suzuka, a track that only exalts champions. Andrea Kimi Antonelli on a circuit where only drivers of the highest caliber have won, has shown that Formula 1 has a new, undisputed, protagonist. A boy with a clean face and gentle manners.
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The triumph in China could have been the exception, but the confirmation in Japan – more difficult, more complicated given the circuit and the expectations – is proof that a different air, of quality, is being breathed in the world of Grand Prix racing. Dominating at 19 years old in that way was an exhilarating discovery. We are at the beginning, the best is yet to come. Antonelli showed a pace impossible for others, an absolute mastery in managing the difficult technology of the “new hybrid”, a delicacy in driving that shielded him from tire problems, a race vision that has always been in his DNA. We can also add the lucid calm with which he managed the error at the start that forced him to recover from sixth place. Agreed, the Safety Car helped him and penalized Russell (and also Leclerc), but in my opinion, the victory would have been his anyway.
Is the World Championship possible?
Now it’s easy to project onto the dream of the world championship, given that he is already in the lead. But, wait a moment; let’s leave him in peace, he needs to grow, the road is long. However, in the meantime, Mercedes has understood that from this moment it has a true leader with a guaranteed future, Hamilton’s heir who cost Toto Wolff about fifty million less: well, that counts too, doesn’t it?
And how can we not remember that the miracle – for now – of the German brand rests on many former Ferrari employees like James Allison, like Giacomo Tortora who went up on the podium with Andrea Kimi, like Simone Resta and others? An extra strength for Antonelli in the face of a wave of doubts that now grips Russell, truly insufficient in terms of speed, strategy, and race reading at Suzuka: either he wakes up or the team will soon focus on the Martian from Casalecchio Reno. Russell could accept that, until two years ago, Hamilton occasionally outperformed him, but being outperformed by Antonelli makes him feel bad as his status and reputation are at stake. Russell’s fourth place jars, in light of how Antonelli, with the same car, dominated.
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McLaren returns, Ferrari does not advance
But at Suzuka there was also the great return of McLaren, which with Oscar Piastri, author of a masterful start, was in the lead for seven laps. The Australian, who until now had never managed to get a good start, drove a beautiful race, finishing second. Norris, on the other hand, dealing with some problems, finished fifth, overtaking Hamilton two laps from the end: a small consolation.
And we come to Ferrari, which remained more or less where it was in China, without making the steps forward made by McLaren. Leclerc performed his usual miracles with a spectacular overtake on Russell, finishing third at 15’’2, Ferrari’s smallest gap of the year to Mercedes. Hamilton worked hard, but without going beyond a modest sixth place. That flash, a few overtakes, some resistance, but nothing more. Ferrari’s gap of 4-5 tenths compared to those who dominate is significant; the drivers can only play defense. “We need a better car“, Leclerc declared today at the finish. He said the same thing last year, in 2025, in 2024, and even further back. Poor Charles, when will this suffering end?
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