Kimi Antonelli: Let’s not create another “chosen one”
Kimi Antonelli is enjoying a strong second Formula 1 season and there is no question about his extraordinary talent. The real issue, however, is different: is the way his performances are being portrayed truly proportional to what is happening on track?
Is it really necessary to celebrate Kimi Antonelli at every opportunity, even when the circumstances do not justify it? To be clear, this is not an article criticizing the 19-year-old from Bologna. Quite the opposite. He is putting together a positive, consistent campaign and is currently fighting for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
The criticism is aimed at the narrative that has grown around Antonelli. At times, the coverage has become exaggerated, praising the Mercedes driver even on weekends where nothing particularly extraordinary happened to justify such enthusiasm.
There is no doubt that Antonelli has been one of the standout drivers this season. He has become one of the biggest stories on the grid, not only because he has won five consecutive Grands Prix, but because he has stepped into a role that many expected George Russell to dominate. As Mercedes’ experienced driver, Russell was widely seen as the man who would lead the team, collect victories consistently and establish himself as the clear reference point.
The issue isn’t Antonelli—it’s the narrative
Returning to the original question: is it really necessary to constantly highlight how brilliant Antonelli is, even when he is not—using a familiar expression—the “Driver of the Day”?
This is not aimed solely at race weekend coverage. When Antonelli dominates a Grand Prix, it is absolutely right to praise his talent. The only observation concerns the language that is used. It should remain as objective as possible, describing what actually happened on track with balance rather than emotion.
The main criticism is directed at the narrative created by certain websites, magazines and sports newspapers. Congratulating Kimi Antonelli is entirely appropriate. Speaking highly of him is equally justified. It is even more deserved when he wins races, leads Mercedes, strings together victories and breaks records previously held by Formula 1 legends.
However, making every story revolve around car number 12—even when he was not the main protagonist of the weekend—is beginning to feel excessive. The last two Grands Prix provide good examples.
In Austria, for instance, the key moment involved George Russell, who intelligently lifted off at precisely the right moment during the yellow flag caused by Max Verstappen. That decision allowed him to secure pole position. Antonelli, meanwhile, slowed more significantly due to his relative lack of experience, ultimately losing the crucial tenths that left him behind the Ferrari drivers.
Instead of focusing on that sporting aspect—which Antonelli himself admitted and Mercedes also acknowledged—the story was largely transformed into an example of his honesty and fair play, highlighting his sportsmanship without sufficiently emphasizing that the FIA’s handling of the yellow flags was arguably the main factor behind the situation.
The second example came at Silverstone, where Charles Leclerc claimed his first victory since the 2024 United States Grand Prix. Rather than allowing that achievement to remain the central story, much of the attention quickly shifted back to Antonelli. The Italian completed the race despite suffering a problem with his front-left wheel, even though Mercedes had wanted to retire the car. That immediately became an opportunity to compare him with legendary drivers who famously finished races in extremely difficult circumstances.
Charles Leclerc’s story should teach us something
Once again, the issue is not that Antonelli lacks exceptional ability. Quite the opposite. The problem is that it is still far too early.
He is only in his second Formula 1 season. Winning five consecutive races is an extraordinary achievement, but it does not automatically place a driver alongside those who have shaped the history of the sport.
Yes, Antonelli has already broken records. But he has not yet won a World Championship or reached the very summit of Formula 1. Why not allow time to tell the story naturally? Why not choose words more carefully? Antonelli is talented, quick and remarkably consistent on both Saturdays and Sundays. None of those qualities depend on exaggerated praise.
The real danger is creating around him the same narrative that surrounded Charles Leclerc several years ago. The Ferrari driver was labelled “the chosen one” as early as his second Formula 1 season, which also happened to be his first with Scuderia Ferrari.
Yet a driver in only their second year is still developing. Growth is never linear. Mistakes followed, difficult periods arrived, internal team defeats happened and victories became harder to come by. Did that suddenly make Charles Leclerc a poor driver? Did it eliminate him as a potential World Champion? Of course not.
These phases are an essential part of every driver’s development. Making someone feel as though they have already reached the top does not help the driver, the people around them or even the fans following the sport. On the contrary, it risks creating a fanbase that eventually becomes toxic, ready to reject any criticism—even when it is objective and constructive.
Drivers need time to mature. They need experience. Constant praise is not what makes them great. If anything, excessive celebration can have the opposite effect, generating unnecessary resentment among fans. How many drivers have become unpopular simply because they were endlessly praised, even when it was not warranted?
Drivers improve over time, and teammates often play a vital role in that journey. Carlos Sainz, despite receiving plenty of criticism throughout his Ferrari career, proved to be an important influence on Charles Leclerc’s development. In the same way, George Russell is—or could become—a valuable teammate in helping Kimi Antonelli continue to grow.
Kimi Antonelli: Talent needs time, not a pedestal
Forgive the repetition, but it brings us back to the original question: why constantly elevate a driver when there is no need? Why create a narrative that later requires people to say, “We told you so,” the moment the driver experiences a difficult period? Lewis Hamilton’s career offers a clear example of how quickly public narratives can change.
Time should be allowed to do its work. Nobody doubts that Antonelli possesses immense talent. The point is simply that he deserves time, together with a narrative that is more measured, balanced and objective.
Supporting a young driver does not mean praising every single performance. In many ways, genuine respect is shown by being willing to offer constructive criticism when it is deserved and acknowledging the small mistakes that naturally come with experience.
The moral of the story is simple: let’s slow down. Let’s enjoy Kimi Antonelli’s growth, his victories and his remarkable talent without creating false myths around him. There is no need to place him on a pedestal before his journey has truly unfolded. Let his career develop naturally. Time, as always, will provide the best answers.
Leave a Reply