Mercedes imagine Antonelli will be one of many greats – and that’s why they’re placing him within the automotive now. They imagine their junior programme has ready him properly and it’s necessary to them that, for the primary time of their historical past, each their drivers have come by means of that system.
They’re assured his upbringing, values and character put him in fine condition to deal with the immense stress that may fall on his shoulders. Initially that may come from Italy, as they’ve a driver racing in a high crew for the primary time in a few a long time, after which from the remainder of the world as his expertise is put to the take a look at.
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Verstappen has, and nonetheless is, delivering on expectation, and whereas Raikkonen arguably didn’t fairly fulfil his potential, he can nonetheless name himself a world champion. After which there’s Hamilton, who gained the title in his second season and added six extra after a difficult interval that solely made him stronger.
Who is aware of which approach Antonelli will go. However for those who speak to these at PREMA, who’ve immense expertise operating younger drivers, or at Mercedes – who’ve been following Antonelli for years – the Italian is the true deal.
It’s now as much as Mercedes to provide him the instruments and the assist community to extract that expertise – and for Antonelli to grab his probability.
