Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli visits Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Ranch: “Eyes only” for the F1 leader. F1 leader Kimi Antonelli spends Easter Saturday at Valentino Rossi’s Ranch with Marco Bezzecchi.

The F1 World Championship leader spent Easter Saturday at Valentino Rossi’s training track with the members of the VR46 Academy but resisted the temptation to ride one of the motocross bikes, as his Mercedes contract prevents him from doing so.

After two consecutive wins in China and Japan with the Mercedes W17, Kimi Antonelli sits atop the F1 standings. The 19-year-old Bolognese driver began his Easter weekend with a day at Rossi’s Ranch in Tavullia.

On his social media, Kimi shared images alongside Valentino Rossi and MotoGP leader Marco Bezzecchi, who did not miss the chance for an intense training session that also involved several members of the VR46 Academy.

Antonelli, however, remained a careful observer of his friends tearing up the dirt track, fully aware of the contractual limitations that prevent the Mercedes driver from riding a motocross bike. Professionalism therefore took precedence over passion, a lesson with historical precedent in F1, where numerous drivers have seen their careers impacted by motorcycle accidents.

One cannot forget the case of Michele Alboreto in September 1986: just days before the Italian GP, the Milanese driver fell while training on a two-wheeler, arriving in Monza with a severely bruised shoulder. Alboreto had broken Ferrari’s ban on off-road motorcycles, attributing his condition to a “domestic accident,” a story no one believed. Only with the help of Dr. Costa could he climb into the F1/86 cockpit, but he was unable to perform at his best.

Kimi, though young and exuberant, kept his feet on the ground, observing the action as others unleashed themselves on the dirt track. He knows how important it is to arrive in Miami, where the F1 season resumes, in peak physical and mental condition to continue his championship battle with teammate George Russell, who has been soundly defeated in the last two races.

“Of course, it’s still early to think about the championship,” admitted the Bolognese, “but we are on the right track. In the race, I had a terrible start – I still need to understand what happened – but then I was lucky with the safety car, which allowed me to move to the front. The pace was incredible and the second stint was really strong. I felt very comfortable with the car and I am very satisfied.”