Riccardo Patrese believes that Kimi Antonelli possesses the talent of the greatest. The former Italian driver already places him in the same category as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
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Kimi Antonelli’s impressive season continues to draw praise. After his dominant victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, the young Mercedes driver received a huge compliment from Riccardo Patrese.
The former Italian driver, winner of six Grands Prix during his career, believes that his compatriot already possesses the qualities that characterize the greatest champions in recent Formula 1 history.
“He is in the same category”
Thanks to his sixth victory of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, Antonelli has consolidated his first place in the world championship.
The 19-year-old driver now has a 45-point lead over Lewis Hamilton and 50 over his teammate George Russell, after the latter’s retirement on the first lap in Belgium.
For Patrese, this rise to power was expected.
“No, it doesn’t surprise me. Before the start of the season, I had said that with an extra year of experience, Kimi could be very, very strong and extremely competitive.”
The Italian believes that his young compatriot possesses something that distinguishes him from merely very good drivers.
“He has something that places him above a simple good champion.”
While he still refuses to compare him directly to the greatest achievements in history, he does not hesitate to liken him to certain legends.
“I cannot yet say that he is as exceptional as Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton, because they have won many titles. But he is of the same mold. He operates in the same category.”
Russell under pressure
Patrese also expects the internal hierarchy at Mercedes to become an increasingly important topic.
“It will be interesting to see what happens in the future between him and George Russell.”
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According to him, Antonelli has already gained an advantage over his teammate.
“Kimi is in a better position than George Russell. He has proven many times that he can be more competitive than him.”
Reliability remains the main threat
While he makes Antonelli the favorite for the world title, Patrese believes that one factor could still upset the season: reliability.
“The only real question for Mercedes concerns reliability.”
He nevertheless highlights the many qualities of the young Italian.
“Kimi is getting stronger and stronger. He doesn’t make mistakes, he is very fast and his car is too. That’s why he is the favorite.”
The title is far from guaranteed
Despite his lead in the championship, Patrese refuses to consider the world crown as a given.
“No, I don’t think Kimi is already champion.”
With eleven Grands Prix still to go, anything can still change.
“The gap is not enough for him to already tell himself that he will be world champion.”
The former Williams driver is nevertheless convinced that Antonelli possesses all the qualities to make a lasting mark on Formula 1.
“He is an exceptional talent and he will become an exceptional champion. He has already demonstrated this with his six victories and his many pole positions. He is truly very special.”
Patrese concludes by reminding that a great champion also needs a bit of luck.
“You also need the success of the very great champions, to be in the right place at the right time. And this season, Kimi has clearly benefited from that.”
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