The stop week between the first two races of Formula 1 (Melbourne and Shanghai) and the Triplet of Suzuka, Bahrain and Jeddah. The pilots rest, work in their factories and give some brushstroke to their preparation before a demanding moment. And there is one that has taken advantage of it to work with another engine myth, although on two wheels, Valentino Rossi. ‘The Doctor’ not only sponsor figures such as Pecco Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli or Marco Bezzecchi, also to the last jewel that shines in F1, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The relationship of Antonelli and Rossi comes long, with the prodigy of Mercedes working in the racho of ’46’. From the beginning, the nine -time champion made it clear that the boy in Bologna had something special. “Our country is strong in many sports, but today we need to be protagonists in F1. We have not been winning Italian pilot for years and I think Kimi (Antonelli) can fill that void,” he explained months before the premiere.
We have not been winning Italian pilot for years and I think Kimi (Antonelli) can fill that void
Valentino Rossi
First, Antonelli seems to sing with a good car, the Mercedes. It ended 4th in Australia and it was 8th, without large displays or scares, in China. They are points in the two races, plus those of the 7th in the race to Sprint. After his premiere he returned to Italy and listens to a teacher like Valentino Rossi. A whole country is waiting for its new prodigy.
The reality is that Antonelli has just begun, but on him weighs a whole country that breathes formula 1. The drought of titles is very long and dates from the first years of the competition with the two crowns of Alberto Ascari (1952 and 1953) and that of Nino Farina (1950). And also that of other successes, because Italy does not win since the victory of Giancarlo Fisichella in the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix and does not rise to the podium since the 2nd of the Roman pilot in Belgium 2009 when he ran with Force India.
Antonelli, in Australia.Lapresse
I still learn at points like the classification, and if I can unite it to the Domino we can maximize the rhythm of the car
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli will have the opportunity. “I am happy with the beginning of the year of the team. I still learn at points such as the classification, and if I can unite it on Sunday we can maximize the rhythm of the car. I am anxious to return to work,” said Mercedes.