Former Formula 1 driver-turned pundit Jacques Villeneuve has advised Andrea Kimi Antonelli not to “start believe too much in his own hype,” after opening up a 43-point lead in the title race.
The Italian’s fourth straight Grand Prix victory in Canada, coupled with Mercedes teammate George Russell’s retirement, has seen him take a sizeable lead in the Drivers’ standings.
Antonelli’s ascendancy to the top of the pile is a remarkable turnaround from this time last year, when he was being handed far more criticisms than compliments, after a difficult start to his F1 career.
But despite proving himself to be a serious contender for the title, Antonelli has been advised by Villeneuve – who won the title in his second season, in 1997 – to reserve a sene of calmness amid his seismic rise.
“He needs to keep his head cool, not start believing too much in his own hype,” the Canadian said.
“That’s a very dangerous thing to do. When you think that you’re untouchable, that’s when mistakes happen.
“And you have a DNF, like [Russell] today, or you have an accident, you lose 25 points, the gap changes a lot, and suddenly you start doubting yourself.
“So that is the big risk. Right now, he’s driving on the edge every lap, and to the point where you think, ‘Wow, he’s keeping it on the track,’ things go well, things go right. It won’t always be like this.”
Antonelli response to adversity ‘will be key,’ but has Russell ‘covered’
Antonelli showed, perhaps for the first time as an F1 driver, a slither of fiery temperament in the Sprint, when he angry complained about what he saw as Russell’s “naughty” conduct when the two battled for the lead of the race.
Villeneuve questioned how he will respond when faced with more adversity, but admitted that, for now at least, he has Russell “covered”.
“So, how will he react when one thing goes wrong? That will be the key thing,” he continued.
“But right now, he is quicker than George. He’s got him covered. What’s important for the team is that George wakes up a little bit and starts believing in himself again.”
Antonelli will need to bring his A-Game to Monaco next week, with both he and Russell seeking their first wins in the principality.
READ MORE – Will Montreal prove to be the first of many Mercedes flashpoints in F1 2026?
Discussion about this post