Andrea Kimi Antonelli is keeping talk of a home podium quiet as superstition shapes his approach to a highly anticipated Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix debut.
The Bologna-born racing driver heads to a track from which he lives just half an hour away, targeting a top-three finish for the first time in his career.
Just six races into his rookie season, Antonelli is still settling in at Mercedes – but in Miami, he made history as F1’s youngest-ever pole-sitter.
However, the Italian lost out to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the Sprint before a pit lane collision with Max Verstappen derailed his race completely.
Sunday’s race proved equally frustrating, with the 18-year-old slipping from third on the grid to ultimately take the flag in sixth behind team-mate George Russell.
It marked his fourth finish in that position this season, placing him just as high in the Drivers’ Championship, notably ahead of the man he replaced at the Silver Arrows, Lewis Hamilton.
Ahead of the race weekend in Imola, Antonelli was asked about the prospect of a maiden podium, but he downplayed it, citing family-rooted superstitions.
“In the family, we’re very superstitious, so we don’t really talk about this stuff – I mean, Miami, I’ll make an example,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I was really excited and actually thinking about the podium, and then the races went terribly wrong — both in the Sprint and the long race.
“So we’re a very superstitious family and we just take it step by step.
“Of course, sometimes it happens to think it would be amazing to get a podium, especially at the home race, and that’s for sure the goal.
“To step on the podium would be the ultimate goal.
“Of course I want to win, but looking at it in a more realistic way, I think doing a podium here would be the dream and that’s what I’m really going to push for.”
Antonelli braces for emotional toll of home F1 debut
The Formula 2 graduate invited his classmates to the paddock ahead of the race weekend, a reality check of just how young he really is.
With his family, friends and the Italian faithful watching on, Antonelli admitted he would have to keep a lid on the overwhelming emotions and preserve his energy.
“This weekend is going to be emotionally and mentally draining — home race in front of the Italian fans, and as I said, my family and friends will be attending,” he added.
“So it’s going to be really important to manage the energy, especially in those moments where I can, and not waste energy on things that are not useful.
“It’s going to be important to stay on top of that because it’s really easy to hit the bottom of the pack before the end of the weekend.
“Already, a normal weekend is very tiring and draining, so this is like double.
“Of course I’m going to try to protect myself – the fact that I’ve got really good people around me really helps.
“We’re all aligned that this weekend is going to be tough. We’re preparing and I think we’re quite well prepared.
“At the end of the day, it’s another race weekend, but because of the circumstances, it’s going to be different.
“At the same time, it’s going to be really exciting.
“I think the energy is going to be amazing and that can be used to do even better on track.
“Really looking forward to see how we go this weekend.”
READ MORE – Why Toto Wolff will miss Kimi Antonelli’s debut home race with Mercedes
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