Unstoppable Antonelli admits rise to F1 summit seems ‘crazy’

MONTMELO: Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli said his rise to the top of Formula One seems “crazy” on Thursday as the Mercedes driver bids to win a sixth consecutive race this weekend in the Catalunya Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old Italian cruised to victory in Monaco last weekend and could become only the sixth driver to claim six straight wins on Sunday at Montmelo.

Antonelli leads the standings by 66 points from Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

“Definitely if you would have told me (about this) two years ago, I would have told you (that) you were crazy,” Antonelli told reporters.

“But I am happy to be in this position, happy and glad for the opportunity afforded to me and to the team, as the car this year has been incredible.”

The back-to-back races in Monaco and Barcelona kick off the European stretch, which Antonelli said he struggled with last season but ultimately it helped shape his progress.

“I did doubt myself after that difficult period in Europe,” he explained.

“Last year I got to know myself better, so definitely considering how bad it was in the moment, I am very grateful for how it happened because I grew a lot and it taught me a lot about myself.”

Antonelli said he was not dwelling on the championship battle.

“As for the championship, (I’m) not really worrying about it,” he added.

“I know the opportunity that is on the table, and of course I want to make the best out of it.”

Hamilton and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen joked last week that the advice they would give Antonelli would be to wait for a couple of seconds at the race start.

“Max and Lewis have been very kind since I joined the sport and very supportive as well,” added Antonelli.

“I mean, we are still competitors at the end of the day, so they don’t want to give too much away.”