Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first season in Formula 1 has been a rollercoaster, featuring moments of brilliance alongside a few tough lessons. The young Italian has impressed many by securing a pole position in the Miami Sprint and earning his first podium in Canada. However, his rookie campaign hasn’t been flawless, as seen in incidents like his crash in Monaco qualifying and a first-lap collision with Max Verstappen in Austria. Despite these setbacks, Antonelli continues to grow, and a major part of his development has been guided by veteran driver Valtteri Bottas.
After parting ways with Sauber, Bottas rejoined Mercedes as their third driver, and his presence has proven to be invaluable to Antonelli. The young driver shared that Bottas is always nearby, willing to offer advice, especially during challenging weekends. One such example was the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where Antonelli had a difficult run in the practice sessions but managed to improve significantly, thanks in part to Bottas’ support and experience.
Antonelli emphasized that having Bottas in the garage provides a unique learning opportunity. He noted that Bottas offers helpful guidance ahead of unfamiliar tracks and shares useful insights throughout race weekends. This mentorship has allowed Antonelli to
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