Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made great strides in his debut season in Formula 2, surprising many by skipping the traditional step up via Formula 3. At the moment, Antonelli is attracting attention not only for his performance on the track, but also for the fact that he is being linked with Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes seat.
The young Italian, who quickly moved from the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) to Formula 2, was aware of the significant challenges that come with such a rapid rise.
“I never expected to go straight into F2. When they told me that was the plan, I thought it would be a big jump because normally you go into F3 first. But at the same time, the challenge immediately appealed to me,” he admitted.
Despite his success in FRECA, Antonelli remained realistic about the difficulties that will arise in the more competitive Formula 2.
“I had no illusions about coming to F2 and winning everything. I was always aware that the jump from Formula Regional would be a big challenge and that I still had a lot to learn, and I still do,” admitted Antonelli.
One of the key factors in Antonelli’s adaptation to Formula 2 was his relationship with Toto Wolff, a connection that proved invaluable, particularly when things got tough for the driver, such as after a particularly disappointing qualifying round at Silverstone.
He said: “In difficult moments I ask him for advice and he always looks for a way to give me confidence. I’ll give you an example. After the disappointing qualifying at Silverstone I called him because it was a bit difficult. We talked a lot and that conversation gave me back my confidence.”
The phone call with Wolff not only brightened Antonelli’s mood, but was also the start of a victory in which Wolff himself was able to celebrate under the podium.
“The next day I won and it was really nice to see him on the podium. When you go through difficult times, I think you come out stronger at the end, also in terms of your attitude. Silverstone and Budapest confirmed that,” he reflected.
Amid growing speculation that Antonelli could potentially enter Formula 1 in 2025, possibly succeeding the seven-time champion at Mercedes, the young driver remains realistic.
“I’m very happy to be considered, but I’m not asking for anything. My goal at the moment is to do well in Formula 2, then we’ll see. For me it’s still a dream. Yes, I’ve thought about it, but it’s a thought. Honestly, I can tell you that for me today it’s still a dream. We’ll see if it comes true,” he explained.
