‘Incredible speed, a calm head and rapid adaptability’ – F2 expert Alex Jacques on what makes Kimi Antonelli so special

Formula 2 racer Kimi Antonelli, who is only on the brink of his 18th birthday, is already one of the most highly-rated young drivers in motorsport – and could even be promoted to an F1 race seat with Mercedes next season. But why would the Silver Arrows take a chance on an unproven youngster this early in his career? We asked F2 commentator Alex Jacques just what makes the Italian so special…

Andrea Kimi Antonelli seemed set for Formula 1 since his go-karting days. Such was his speed, Antontelli had the pick of F1 driver academy offers in his inbox at the age of just 13.

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After winning five karting championships, including back-to-back European titles, he chose Mercedes. His reasoning: they had no one else his age. One of the biggest car companies in the world promised him their full attention, and the son of Touring Car and GT racer Marco Antonelli set about adding to his trophy collection.

In 2022, Antonelli Junior claimed the Italian and German Formula 4 titles in the same season. This is a gold standard indicator of talent, as a junior driver is required to blend speed with the consistency of managing a busy calendar. (F1-bound Oliver Bearman achieved the same honour the year before).

A year later, Antonelli continued his success with a title-winning season in the FRECA championship (previously known as Formula Renault). His campaign featured five wins and 11 podiums – but beyond the numbers, two key moments displayed traits beyond raw talent.

In treacherous conditions at Zandvoort, the Italian went from eighth on the grid to the lead in just three laps, showing incredible touch and control.

This is the type of race upper management looks for. Performance in the wet can exemplify exceptional talent. Indeed, Red Bull motorsport chief Helmut Marko decided to move for Max Verstappen after a similar wet weather performance in F3.

Those in the paddock also point to calmness beyond his years. Perhaps most obvious when he made a calculated overtake to win Prema the team championship on the last lap of the FRECA season. Calmness and adaptability are two vital traits for a modern driver.

In a highly unusual move, Mercedes decided to skip Antonelli past Formula 3 straight to Formula 2. Jenson Button, Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen all advanced to F1 without completing all the rungs of the junior ladder – but crucially after competing at F3 level.

READ MORE: Bearman hoping Antonelli joins him on F1 grid as he sets out dream scenario for the pair

By placing Antontelli straight into FIA F2, Mercedes were banking on further adaptation to much faster machinery. A FRECA car has 270bhp vs Formula 2’s 640bhp. That power is twinned with an increase in downforce which allows an F2 car to lap Imola 12 seconds faster than a FRECA machine, or as F2 commentator Alex Brundle put it: “It’s like jumping on a Grand National winner after two weeks at pony club.”

Antonelli joined Prema, who had a track record of taking drivers to Formula 1: Pierre Gasly, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, and a driver key to all of this, Oscar Piastri.

Oscar, the 2021 F2 champion with Prema, had shown it was possible to be on the pace regularly in a rookie season alongside a high calibre team mate with an extensive private testing programme.

Antonelli was expected to place in the championship top three. However, a new F2 car upended the form book and Prema faltered from their typical dominant form. After fourteen races, Antonelli hadn’t stood on the podium when twelve other drivers had won.

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The pressure was already on Antonelli to make rapid progress and adapt to the F2 machinery. Then Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell move to Ferrari blindsided Mercedes and added further intensity to an F2 campaign already in the spotlight.

For the first time in his career Antonelli was on the back foot. But at Silverstone, wet conditions gave the young Italian a showcase for his raw racing instincts. He delivered a stunning drive to leave the pack behind, at times pulling a second a lap on his rivals to win by a clear eight seconds.

Finally an F2 winner, he acknowledged the requirement to show such a performance. “It was needed. We didn’t have an ideal start to the season, but we have been improving a lot,” he said.

Two weeks later in Budapest, Antonelli was again in the lead but would fade out of the points. Undaunted, the young Italian called it “a good learning experience”.

READ MORE: Allison explains how ‘pretty bloody good’ Antonelli is developing and if he’s ready for F1

His ability to learn quickly was on display the next day as Antonelli took a strong Feature Race victory (see the clip below) built on a long hard tyre stint before picking drivers off with ease when on the softs. “I think we were really deserving of this win because the pace was really strong,” he said afterwards.

These moments, though undoubtedly impressive, are mere hints of a talent that was expected to be so obvious that Formula 1 promotion was unarguable. Antonelli has openly admitted he is uncertain how quickly he can reach F1 levels of performance: “I’m trying to improve and to not make the same mistakes again, and I think [winning the Feature Race] was the proof.”

“I don’t know if I would be ready [for F1], to be honest, because I still am learning a lot in F2,” he added.

One man who is certain about Antonelli’s early F1 promotion is Toto Wolff. The CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes believes in the young Italian not just as a driver but as an avenger.

READ MORE: Wolff shares latest on Antonelli’s F1 prospects

Wolff was wounded by missing out on Max Versteppen in 2014. Outmanoeuvred by Red Bull, Wolff is reminded of his failure every single time the Dutchman wins. Having watched Verstappen take 51 wins since March 2021, the resolution to never let another such talent escape can only have hardened.

History tells us other teams will seize on any hesitation. Lando Norris was firmly part of McLaren’s programme since 2018 and yet received constant offers from Red Bull. Oscar Piastri’s management did not rate Alpine’s plan to place the Australian at Williams for two seasons. McLaren’s offer of a race seat led to a switch.

Wolff’s earnestness for Antonelli’s promotion removes any opportunity for poaching and to prepare the young Italian, Mercedes have enrolled him in an extensive testing regime similar to that of Piastri in 2022. First with the 2021 car at Red Bull Ring; then with the 2022 ground effect machine at Catalunya and most recently at Spa.

The data would have to display an ability beyond the potential typically expected of a 17-year-old. Antonelli will have to show capability to perform immediately and achieve a rookie season akin to Lewis Hamilton or Jacques Villenueve, who both won multiple races in their first F1 campaigns.

READ MORE: Antonelli offers honest assessment over F1 promotion chances as he admits ‘I don’t know if I’d be ready’

This represents an incredibly high bar, but that is the requirement to race for a ‘big four’ team in current F1. Mercedes have won three of the last four Grand Prix, Q3 is the minimum expectation every weekend, and there can be no ‘learning’ or ‘transitional’ season without turning Mercedes into a one-car team. The testing data must show Antonelli can run at the front from round one.

With incredible core speed, a calm head and rapid adaptability, Mercedes believe Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be an F1 champion – and if the testing data aligns, Antonelli’s maiden campaign in Formula 1 will be one of the stories of the season.