Former F1 World Champion Jenson Button said Kimi Antonelli had blown his mind after he took an “incredible” rod for the Miami Grand Prix Sprint.
In just his sixth F1 event, Antonelli caught the bar from McLaren -duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and will have the opportunity to convert a girl pole to sprint -win when the lights go out in Miami on Saturday at. 17, live on Sky Sports F1.
After 18 years and 250 days, Antonelli has smashed Sebastian Vettel’s former record of the youngest rods in F1, which the latter did as a 21-year-old.
“He’s been quick but right behind George [Russell]. I didn’t expect that. It was incredible. To put it on pole position for sprinting is a special moment in his time, “said F1 world champion in 2009.
“We saw him with the incident in Monza [when he crashed] And that’s what I was thinking about Kimi Antonelli – incredibly fast, but on the edge.
“But this season he has been completely different from that driver. He is calm, gathering, walking around in his business, slowly progressing, always there and getting points in every race.
“That’s not what you do as a new driver. His consistency has blown my mind but he has gone ‘boom’ and also given us speed.”
Antonelli, who replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this year, is the third youngest F1 driver ever, only behind Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll.
Sky Sports F1Martin Brundle has previously said that Mercedes has “another star on their hands” and was also awe for the teenager.
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Sprint qualifying highlights of Miami Grand Prix from Miami International Autodrome
“Huge. What efforts from such a young driver,” Brundle said.
“He has no experience with Miami except on the simulator and has gone out and smashed a lap in. It’s a unique effort.
“Mercedes saw him many years ago, they used to him, they used to him, protected him as he smashed the car for bits in Monza in practice, and here he delivers to them. It is sensational.”
Davidson: Monza Crash was good in many ways
Antonelli debuted in Mercedes during the first practice of last year’s Italian Grand Prix, but crashed into the early stages of the session, one day before the team announced that they had chosen him until 2025.
Sky Sports F1Anthony Davidson, a simulator driver for Mercedes, believes Monza crash actually benefit Antonelli.
“Everyone in the team was thrilled in Kimi’s potential, and it shows that the team knows what they are looking at for future drivers,” he said.
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Antonelli lost control of his Mercedes on his practice debut on the Italian Grand Prix last year
“Remember, George Russell is also a product from their Young Driver program. It was a difficult process to go through to fill the legend of Lewis Hamilton, who had been with the team for so long.
“I feel like the team really nurtures him. He’s in the limelight in a big team right on the sharp end and it’s not easy, so you need a lot of support from the team.
“Yes, he had a moment in Monza, but I think it was good in many ways because it showed what could happen if you were back on your own devices and the team responded really well to it.”
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Lewis Hamilton shared a healthy exchange with Antonelli and said how happy he is for Mercedes -rookie
Antonelli: I have become more confident every weekend
Antonelli is sixth in F1 Driver ‘Championship, 35 points behind Mercedes teammate Russell, who has been extremely strong so far this season.
He was the only rookie that did not go down to a wet season opener in Australia, where he stormed up from 16 to fourth and sacked several points and was close to Russell in China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
“Every weekend I learn massively. Last week has a break [after Jeddah] Really helped me collect information and process it all and recharge the batteries, it was really good, ”Antonelli said.
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See footage of Antonelli’s brave late steps on Alex Albon to move into P4 on the Australian Grand Prix
“The whole qualification I felt that I was able to make a step after the lap. I am much more aware of how to do a consistent heating and extract more out of the tires, but there is much to improve.
“Every weekend I get more confident with the car, can play with it more and explore the boundaries. At the same time, I can understand more from the setup and give much better feedback that allows the team to improve the car.”
Antonelli can’t beat the Verstappen’s record to be the youngest F1 -Race winner ever, as he would have had to win one of the three open three events to beat the Dutchman.
Nevertheless, Antonelli can further impress if he can hold McLarens in the sprint.
“I want to enjoy this moment, but focus on Saturday because it would be good to repeat this result,” he added.
“McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull have a strong race tempo but we are pretty close. It will be important to have a good start and then set a good pace without degrading [the tyres] Too much. “
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Look as Antonelli has his opinion of a series of funny scenarios by judging them with different racing flags
Sky Sports F1’s Miami GP plan
Saturday May 3rd
- At. 15.20: F1 Academy qualification
- 16:00: Miami GP Sprint (Race starts at 5pm)
- 6.30pm: Teds Sprint Notebook
- 19.50: F1 Academy Race 1
- 8.35: Miami GP Qualifying Building*
- 21:00: Miami GP Qualification*
- 23:00: Teds qualifying notebook*
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Look back on some of the most dramatic moments that have taken place around Miami International Autodrome
Sunday 4th May
- 18:00: F1 Academy Race 2
- 7.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Miami GP-Building*
- 21:00: Miami Grand Prix*
- 23:00: Controlled Flag: Miami GP -Reafter*
- Midnight: Teds notebook
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Miami for a Sprint -Weekend, watch it all live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports With Now – No Contract, Cancel anytime