Mecixo City – Ferrari fans can only imagine what might have been had local boy Kimi Antonelli signed for their team rather than Mercedes as a young go-karter. Formula One’s oldest and most successful team had the chance to secure the talent now set to become Italy’s first champion in 73 years, and Formula One’s youngest ever, but let it slip through its fingers. Mercedes seized the opportunity instead in 2018, when Antonelli was 11.
Former Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, who was no longer involved with the team at that point, saw a silver lining. Such a young Italian driving a Ferrari ... It would have been terrible pressure.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff credited Gwen Lagrue, who is joining Red Bull next year to run its young driver program, for bringing Antonelli, now 20, on board.
He said also that people did not appreciate the amount of work that has gone into nurturing the team’s successor to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. He reminds me of Niki Lauda’. And I’m thinking, ’People don’t get that this is the work of nine years,’” the Austrian told reporters after Antonelli won last Sunday’s U.S.
Grand Prix in Austin, his ninth win of the season. He spoke of those at other teams who suggested the youngster should not even be in Formula One. But it wasn’t an easy road.”
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