Andrea Kimi Antonelli will have to fight “tooth and nail” to win this year’s Formula 1 World Championship, according to former driver-turned-pundit David Coulthard.
The Italian has taken two wins from three this year, putting him top of the Drivers’ standings ahead of the sport’s five-week enforced break.
At 19, it makes Antonelli the youngest-ever driver in the sport to head the leaderboard, and places him ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell, the early title favourite.
Antonelli’s two successes has caused an early stir, the teenager proving that he has improved since his debut campaign last year, in which he was often criticised for his performances.
Now, he has been able to take the fight to Russell, prompting added excitement for the Miami Grand Prix next week, the scene of his first-ever F1 pole [Sprint] last year.
But Coulthard, who won 13 Grands Prix and was also at the coalface of F1 title fights in his time, in not entirely convinced Antonelli will maintain his title threat.
“It doesn’t quite feel that way,” the Scotsman told ServusTV.
“They’ve invested a lot of time and had a long dry spell. Let’s wait for Miami, and then maybe we’ll understand how the technology is developing.
“Of course, he can become World Champion. When you have a winning car, almost only George Russell can come close.
“He has to fight tooth and nail.”
Antonelli has the potential to withhold Russell’s challenge, but the Brit’s experience and consistency could prove key, as Team Principal Toto Wolff outlined his warning to both men if they enter into battle on-track.
READ MORE – Toto Wolff fires warning to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli with ‘only one car’ statement
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