Daily News 19

Tag: Lewis Hamilton

  • Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the opening-lap clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix was “not good for the team” following a disappointing weekend for the Scuderia at Monza.

    First-lap incident drops Hamilton to tenth

    Leclerc defended aggressively against his teammate on lap one after both Ferraris started from the second row. The Monegasque driver refused to yield, pushing Hamilton wide at the exit of Turn 2 and forcing the seven-time champion into the gravel. Hamilton plummeted to 10th place as a result.

    Vasseur: ‘Outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team’

    Addressing the media on Sunday night, Vasseur kept his initial remarks brief.

    “I spoke to Lewis for two seconds and not at all with Charles,” Vasseur said when asked about the incident during his media session on Sunday night. “We’ll have time to discuss that. I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you. For sure, the outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team, if it’s the question.”

    Team orders debate: too early before Monza

    Ferrari has resisted imposing team orders this season despite external pressure to support Hamilton, who has been the quicker Ferrari driver relative to the Mercedes pair. Vasseur maintained that such a move would have been premature before the Italian round, though he signaled the stance could shift.

    “Now, to see if we [need to] have a team order or whatever, I think that the good comparison that I made was that last year,” he said. “Piastri was leading McLaren at this stage of the season and if McLaren put everything on Piastri, Max Verstappen would have been champion.

    “For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision, but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza. Now I will have time to discuss with the guys.

    “For a team, it’s never good to lose points. This is clear. Now, basically at the beginning of the season, I think every single team principal in the world would love to let them race. To freeze positions when you are the team principal, don’t imagine that it’s an easy choice. You do it for the team, you do it for the results at the end, but it’s never an easy call.

    “By definition, I would love to let them race all the weekend. Now, by reason, you have to take a decision at one stage. Each team is different. We will have to take a decision when we’ll decide.”

    Drivers offer contrasting views on the clash

    Leclerc, who later retired after crashing at the Parabolica, admitted the incident went too far. “we went too far”, he said.

    Hamilton rejected the collective framing when Leclerc’s comment was put to him.

    “I was ahead in Turn 2, by the apex, I was ahead. There was no we in it.”

    Championship implications

    Following Kimi Antonelli’s victory at Monza, Hamilton now trails the Italian driver by 76 points in the drivers’ championship. In the constructors’ standings, Ferrari sits 122 points behind Mercedes.

  • Nico Rosberg: Ferrari backing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc “doesn’t make sense”

    Nico Rosberg: Ferrari backing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc “doesn’t make sense”

    Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, has dismissed the idea that Ferrari should prioritize Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc in the battle for the 2026 title. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast during the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, Rosberg stated that such a move is simply “not feasible” for the Scuderia.

    Ferrari’s Dilemma: Two Number One Drivers

    The discussion followed a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix where Ferrari appeared reluctant to enforce team orders to let Hamilton pass Leclerc, despite the Monegasque driver being on a different strategy. Addressing suggestions that the team should back the seven-time world champion for a future title push, Rosberg was unequivocal.

    “They can’t do that,” Rosberg, who was partnered with Hamilton at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016, said during the Sky Sports F1 broadcast at Monza.

    “They have two No. 1 drivers, both on a similar level. You cannot, now in the middle of the season, put everything just working towards Lewis. It’s way too early, and that doesn’t make sense.”

    Rosberg elaborated that while favoring Hamilton might theoretically boost his championship chances—especially given that the Ferrari drivers have been “all over each other almost every race” in the last five rounds—doing so would undermine Leclerc and the team’s operational integrity.

    “Of course, for Lewis that would enhance his chances to win the championship because in the last five races the Ferrari drivers were all over each other almost every race. Of course, it costs them performance, and Lewis championship points eventually, but the team cannot do that at this stage against Leclerc. It’s not feasible.”

    Championship Standings and Monza Implications

    Heading into the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton trailed championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 59 points in the drivers’ standings, while Leclerc faced a larger 87-point deficit. Rosberg highlighted the significance of the Monza race for the title contenders.

    “It is a big race for the championship today,” Rosberg added. “It’s the chance for George, Lewis, actually also Lando, to make up some big points. But Lando is kind of out of it today, he has not been fast enough this weekend.”

    Regarding Hamilton’s specific prospects for the race, Rosberg noted a qualifying performance that fell slightly short of expectations but remained optimistic about his race pace.

    “Lewis also, we were expecting a bit more from him in qualifying but, nevertheless, he’s still fourth, has a good race car so he can be on the podium. Not sure he can fight for the win.”

    Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari. Photo by: Alessio Morgese
  • Huge crash knocks Charles Leclerc out of F1 Italian GP

    Huge crash knocks Charles Leclerc out of F1 Italian GP

    Leclerc Crashes Out Early at Italian GP, Triggering Red Flag at Monza

    Ferrari’s home race took a dramatic turn just two laps into the Italian Grand Prix when Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at the high-speed Parabolica corner, bringing out the red flag at Monza.

    Incident Details: Lap 2 Crash at Parabolica

    The Monegasque driver was defending fourth position against McLaren’s Oscar Piastri when he suffered a sudden snap of oversteer exiting the fast right-hander. Leclerc spun backward into the outside barriers at high speed. Fortunately, he walked away unhurt, but the impact caused significant barrier damage requiring extensive repairs.

    Race control initially deployed the safety car before escalating to a full red flag to allow track crews to replace the damaged TecPro barriers. Leclerc visited the medical center for precautionary checks and was subsequently cleared and released without injuries.

    Ferrari’s Nightmare Start Compounds Home Race Woes

    The crash capped a disastrous opening sequence for the Scuderia. At the start, Leclerc made contact with teammate Lewis Hamilton, pushing the seven-time champion wide and dropping him to eighth place. The incident prompted a furious radio message from Hamilton: “Charles pushed me off” — though stewards opted not to investigate.

    Mercedes’ George Russell capitalized on the chaos to seize the lead from surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly in the Alpine.

    Standing Restart Set for 15:39 Local Time

    Drivers will resume with a standing restart at 15:39 local time. Teams are permitted to change tires during the stoppage. Russell will lead the field from the front row alongside Gasly, Max Verstappen, and Franco Colapinto.

    Further back, championship leader Kimi Antonelli has recovered to 12th after starting 19th due to an engine penalty.

  • Lewis Hamilton Unhappy with Ferrari Execution in Monza F1 Qualifying

    Lewis Hamilton Unhappy with Ferrari Execution in Monza F1 Qualifying

    Hamilton Voices Frustration Over Ferrari Qualifying Execution at Monza

    Lewis Hamilton offered pointed criticism of Ferrari’s qualifying operation after a disjointed session at the Italian Grand Prix left him fifth on the grid, 0.225 seconds behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly. The seven-time champion navigated a stressful Saturday, scraping into Q2 by a mere 0.001 seconds after an eighth-place showing in Q1, before failing to convert the team’s strategic plan in the final shootout.

    Missed Tow and Tire Preparation Issues Cost Hamilton

    Ferrari’s pre-agreed qualifying rotation gave Hamilton the choice of track position relative to team-mate Charles Leclerc. Opting to run second to leverage a slipstream from the Monegasque at the high-speed Temple of Speed, Hamilton saw the plan unravel on his first Q3 run when his tires were not ready in time to catch Leclerc’s tow. He ultimately finished the session 0.007 seconds slower than his team-mate on the second attempt.

    When asked about the importance of team-mate cooperation around Monza, Hamilton paused before delivering a measured critique of the squad’s coordination.

    “What I can say is, Pierre did a great job. Clearly, looking from a distance, it looked like they worked really well as a team.”

    He expanded on the internal dynamic, acknowledging the team’s intent while highlighting the execution failure.

    “The team was solely focused on trying to get an equal tow for each driver. And, as I said, we just stumbled.”

    Grid Penalty Promotes Ferraris to Second Row

    A three-place grid penalty for Oscar Piastri, imposed for impeding Liam Lawson, elevates both Ferraris to the second row for Sunday’s race. While the improved starting position offers a platform, Hamilton remains realistic about the competitive hierarchy, identifying George Russell and Mercedes as the benchmark.

    “That puts us in fighting chance, hopefully, with George [Russell]. That’s one Mercedes up front, so hopefully that gives us a chance,”

    he stated, adding a candid assessment of the straight-line deficit.

    “George has the fastest car, that’s clear. Particularly if you see his Mercedes. We’re lacking on straights still, and that’s just the way it is.”

    Title Hopes Fading as Points Gap Widens

    As the season progresses, Hamilton’s championship aspirations are diminishing. He currently trails the championship leader by 59 points—a gap he described with striking candor.

    “There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s getting dimmer the further we get through,” he deplored. “And even though the team’s doing an amazing job in bringing upgrades and pushing us forward – I’m so proud of everyone, I say it all the time, but it’s because I really am – also at the track, we need to come correct and act accordingly to make sure we get the result we need.”

    The comments underscore a growing tension between the development trajectory of the SF-24 and the operational precision required to maximize its potential on race weekends.

  • Rivals Copying Ferrari’s F1 Aero Designs Is “a good reward” for Maranello

    Rivals Copying Ferrari’s F1 Aero Designs Is “a good reward” for Maranello

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes rival Formula 1 teams copying the SF-26’s innovative aerodynamic concepts is a “good reward” for the Maranello-based team.

    Ferrari entered the 2026 regulations cycle with a striking car featuring several notable areas of technical innovation. At winter testing in Bahrain, the team added a winglet to the structure behind the exhaust. Internally known as Flick Tail Mode (FTM), the device generates additional rear downforce at the cost of a small increase in drag.

    Ferrari introduced another concept the following day: a rotating wing nicknamed the Macarena wing, which flips 180 degrees between cornering and straight-line configurations.

    Ferrari’s exhaust wing copied by rivals

    The exhaust wing has been widely copied by Ferrari’s rivals, although the Scuderia’s design has proved difficult to fully reverse engineer because Ferrari developed parts of the rear of the SF-26 around the concept. The FIA has since banned the exhaust device for 2027 by closing the relevant loophole in the technical regulations, preventing similar designs from becoming increasingly extreme.

    Red Bull has also adopted the upside-down wing, while McLaren has tested its own version. McLaren began work on the project after seeing Ferrari’s design during testing, whereas Red Bull independently pursued a different concept.

    “We were disappointed not to pick that up as quickly as Ferrari did and then Red Bull,” said McLaren technical director Neil Houldey. “As soon as we saw it, we realised there was an opportunity there.”

    Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Vasseur said Ferrari’s aerodynamicists and designers had received a boost from leading the development race. He has encouraged the team to embrace innovation and take greater risks.

    Asked whether rivals copying Ferrari’s exhaust wing and rear wing represented a compliment to Maranello, Vasseur replied: “I’m not there to have compliments. I’m there because I want to win. The best compliment for me is to go on the podium.

    “But yes, it’s true that for the guys in the team, to see Red Bull coming with the wing, and I think probably Red Bull started before seeing our wings, but the others starting to copy [it], or even the device on the exhaust, for the guys in the team who had the idea it’s a good reward.”

    Ferrari’s SF-26 emerges as a leading F1 chassis

    Despite Ferrari’s well-documented power unit weakness, the SF-26 can arguably be regarded as the strongest chassis in Formula 1. After a series of upgrades, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both won a grand prix, at Silverstone and Barcelona respectively, while Ferrari sits second in the championship standings.

    The SF-26 was the first Ferrari designed under technical director Loic Serra. He was signed in 2023 but joined the team from Mercedes only at the end of 2024 after an extended gardening leave period.

    Vasseur said Serra’s delayed arrival and the time required to develop the 2026 car illustrated why it takes so long to transform an F1 team.

    “The frustration that you can have sometimes in F1 is that on the technical side the process is mega long, because you have a lot of inertia,” he explained.

    “For example, we started to discuss [with Loic] mid ’23 and he joined the team at the end of 2024. Then he’s focused on the car of ’26, and he’s still recruiting people to help him. It means that this process is about years, when on the other hand we want to get results next week.

    “I’m very, very pleased with the choices that we made, with the set-up that we have, and the collaboration that we have in the team. The team is strong. The collaboration is mega strong.”

  • Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    When Toto Wolff met with the Dutch press at Zandvoort a year ago, Kimi Antonelli was enduring the difficult stretch that defined much of his European Formula 1 rookie season. The young Italian had shown flashes of brilliance in Miami and Canada, but those performances were followed by several challenging race weekends.

    At the time, Wolff described Antonelli’s first season in straightforward terms:

    “Sometimes there are brilliant moments that leave our mouths open, and sometimes we are pulling our hair out. But that is all in line with expectations.”

    Many paddock observers expected Antonelli’s 2026 campaign to follow a similar pattern. Instead, the Mercedes driver has combined his natural speed with a major improvement in consistency.

    Antonelli has finished on the podium at every grand prix so far except Barcelona and Silverstone. He also leads the Formula 1 championship by 59 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

    Asked by Motorsport.com whether Antonelli’s progress ranked among the biggest surprises of his long career, Wolff gave a clear answer.

    “Definitely,” he said.

    However, Wolff said Hamilton and Max Verstappen had already warned him last year that Antonelli possessed the potential to make such a breakthrough.

    “I think the great ones, they know,” Wolff explained. “You say it needs one to know one. And I think that when you listen to Lewis or to Max last year, they already said that he has the potential.
    “And that’s what we felt in the team too, looking at his previous records in karting and the junior formulas.
    “Nevertheless, to come out after the winter and just nailing it pretty much every single race is one of the big surprises in my professional racing career.”

    From ‘parachuted into F1’ to no longer being a ‘deer in the headlights’

    Wolff believes Antonelli’s rapid development is the result of more than technical factors. Although the 2026 car may suit his driving style better than the previous ground-effect machinery, Wolff also pointed to the driver’s personal development and ability to process information.

    “When I analyse it and ask myself what are the reasons that he had such a good reputation in the junior formulas and karting, I think it’s his processing power.
    “I think he just needed the winter to process it. Why was it good? Why was it bad? What do I need to do?”

    Wolff also credited the greater stability within Mercedes. Antonelli entered the new season in a familiar environment, with less uncertainty surrounding the travel, accommodation, team procedures and circuits.

    “And then to come into an environment that he already knew. He knew that flying to Melbourne would look that way. He knew the hotel. He knew the set-up. He comes to the track, and everything is as last year.
    “And that means that it just comes down to driving and preparation, rather than being a deer in front of the headlights, like in 2025, thinking what’s happening? But yeah, it’s still one of the very nice surprises.”

    The same factors help explain Antonelli’s inconsistent 2025 rookie season, Wolff said. The combination of established technical regulations, limited experience and intense external pressure created a difficult introduction to Formula 1.

    “What happened to Kimi last year is just what we predicted,” Wolff added.
    “You’re being parachuted into Formula 1. He was 18 under a set of regulations that was very mature. Most of the drivers were racing those cars for a long time and Kimi didn’t know some of the circuits.
    “And then there was this avalanche of media requests and pressure. Suddenly everyone who was part of your journey felt they needed to be with you or close to you. The demands were enormous.”

    Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 struggles were “what we predicted”, the Mercedes boss said.

    The 54-year-old Austrian said he faced widespread criticism for placing Antonelli in a Mercedes seat so early in his career. Wolff compared the decision with Helmut Marko’s choice to give Max Verstappen an early Formula 1 opportunity at Red Bull, saying both men had seen enough talent to justify taking the risk.

    “Everyone and their dog said to me that it was too early, that I shouldn’t have put him into Mercedes and that I should have done a smaller team.
    “Spa was probably one of the worst moments, but for me, I stood strong with him because I felt that it was exactly the year we needed,” Wolff said.
    “We’re only making the assessment after the second year. And the way he’s come out of the blocks this year is a surprise to everyone, and yes, to me as well.”

    Beyond Antonelli’s speed and performance on track, Wolff said the driver’s enthusiasm is now having a positive effect across the Mercedes team.

    “He is authentic, very open-minded, not political at all. He completely lacks that negative kind of thing. For him, it’s just all about performance on the track.
    “And he’s made all the English mechanics hug each other now, which is also new for us!”

  • How Ferrari Can “push until the end” With F1 2026 Upgrades

    How Ferrari Can “push until the end” With F1 2026 Upgrades

    Ferrari will continue developing its 2026 Formula 1 car until the end of the season, team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed, dismissing suggestions that cost-cap restrictions could force the team to reduce its upgrade rate.

    The team has introduced a steady stream of incremental updates for its SF-26, helping Ferrari remain second in the constructors’ championship and enabling both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to win a grand prix this season.

    Ferrari’s development programme will continue at its home race in Monza this weekend. The team is expected to bring smaller aerodynamic improvements, along with its second engine update following the latest ADUO ranking.

    Ferrari maintains its 2026 F1 upgrade plan

    The performance gap between teams has narrowed significantly, particularly at circuits where the 2026 power units have less influence. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari were separated by just one tenth of a second in sprint qualifying at Zandvoort, while three tenths has regularly been the difference between pole position and the third row of the grid.

    Teams that can continue adding performance late in the season therefore retain an opportunity to make substantial progress in the championship. However, they must balance wind-tunnel development with cost-cap restrictions and the resources needed for the 2027 car project.

    Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Ferrari chief Vasseur said the Scuderia had no concerns about the cost cap and would continue its aggressive development programme.

    “The strategy is that we will continue to push until the end,” Vasseur said. “We have a plan. We have no issue with the cost cap, we are following the plan and will continue like this.

    “It’s true that you have different strategies. You have McLaren coming each three or four races with a big package on the car, and we are more trying to bring upgrades each race but much smaller. But at the end, in terms of cost, it’s the same.

    “What is challenging, probably, is that we are still developing with 11 races to go, and I think a crash like Max [Verstappen] in Zandvoort is huge in terms of cost cap [for Red Bull]. It’s difficult to anticipate the number of crashes that you could have until the end of the season.”

    Ferrari explains its frequent smaller upgrades

    Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have all introduced significant updates this season, while Mercedes has fallen behind in development. Mercedes’ next major package is scheduled for October’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with rival teams having closed the gap in recent weeks and months.

    Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said the team “hasn’t got the money to put developments on the car” beyond its current plans. However, he also suggested Ferrari and other rivals could eventually have to slow their development after bringing so many new parts to the track.

    Vasseur declined to assess Mercedes’ strategy without a full understanding of its approach. He did, however, explain how Ferrari has efficiently delivered such a high number of upgrades.

    “I don’t want to speak about Mercedes because I don’t understand, but with McLaren it’s a bit linked to how you develop in the wind tunnel and the capacity of production,” the Frenchman said. “We found our best approach by almost bringing upgrades each race. One week it’s mechanical, one week it’s aero, and we are continuing like this. It’s fitting with our capacity of production, with our wind tunnel capacity, and it’s going well.

    “Now, if McLaren want to do things differently, it’s because they have good reasons to do it. The set-up of the teams is different; the configuration is different. But at the end of the day, over a season we are almost following each other in terms of development.”

  • Ferrari Reveals Michael Schumacher-Inspired Livery for Home Grand Prix at Monza

    Ferrari Reveals Michael Schumacher-Inspired Livery for Home Grand Prix at Monza

    Ferrari has unveiled a special one-off livery for its home race at Monza, paying tribute to seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.

    The tribute marks 30 years since Schumacher joined the Scuderia and 20 years since his final victory for Ferrari, which came at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.

    Schumacher won five of his seven world titles with the Maranello-based team and claimed five victories at Monza in Ferrari red, in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006.

    Ferrari’s Schumacher tribute at Monza

    Ferrari had already revealed bespoke race suits for current drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The suits feature Schumacher’s logo and the seven stars he wore on his helmet to represent his seven world titles.

    On Tuesday morning, Ferrari followed up by showcasing a Schumacher-inspired car livery, again highlighting the tribute details alongside its usual 2026 design.

    Ferrari said this week’s wide-ranging tributes were inspired by Schumacher’s “impact on the racing world” and “his enduring mindset”.

  • Ferrari Unveils Michael Schumacher-Inspired F1 Livery for Italian Grand Prix

    Ferrari Unveils Michael Schumacher-Inspired F1 Livery for Italian Grand Prix

    Ferrari will run a special Michael Schumacher tribute livery at its home Formula 1 race in Monza, marking the 30th anniversary of the German driver’s first season with the team.

    The Ferrari SF-26 driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will feature an even redder appearance, with the white section removed from the engine cover. Both drivers’ number decals will use a retro font, while Schumacher’s signature will appear between the numbers and title sponsor HP’s logo.

    The car will also feature gold detailing on the BBS wheel rims and Schumacher’s trademark white stars on its nose. Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari’s entire trackside team will wear specially designed clothing for the occasion.

    Ferrari to display Schumacher’s iconic cars at Monza

    The tribute livery draws inspiration from the F310 that Schumacher first raced for Ferrari in 1996. That car will be displayed throughout the Monza weekend alongside his final Ferrari, the 248 F1 from 2006, and the F2002, which became Schumacher’s and Ferrari’s most dominant car.

    Schumacher’s former team-mate Rubens Barrichello and close friend Sebastian Vettel, who also drove for Ferrari, will drive the F2002 around Monza on Saturday and Sunday for a lap of honour celebrating his legacy.

    “Michael’s time at Ferrari was about much more than just wins and titles: his relentless pursuit of perfection, attention to detail, discipline and ability to be a true team player helped create a culture that became one of the defining characteristics of the Scuderia,” the team stated.

    “Thirty years later, that culture remains part of the way Ferrari approaches competition today. Monza is therefore the ideal place to celebrate this legacy, not just by looking back at what was achieved, but by recognising values that remain part of Ferrari today.”

    Schumacher is Ferrari’s most experienced driver, having started 179 races for the team between 1996 and 2006. The 57-year-old German is also Ferrari’s most decorated driver, winning five of his seven world championships with the Maranello-based team between 2000 and 2004.

    During Ferrari’s highly successful era under Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, Schumacher recorded 72 wins and 58 pole positions for the team.

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli has revealed how he is staying grounded while competing for the 2026 world title.

    In just his second F1 season, Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after consecutive victories in China and Japan. He added four more Grand Prix wins before the summer break, putting the 20-year-old Italian at the centre of the title battle early in his career.

    Antonelli currently leads his Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton by 59 points.

    Antonelli remains focused in F1 title fight

    During the summer break, Antonelli said he and his family celebrated his achievements without allowing the championship lead to dominate their lives.

    “We watched some of the races on TV while eating dinner. We still talked about F1, but it was in a nice way, just reminding us what we achieved,” Antonelli told F1.com about his summer break.

    The Mercedes driver said maintaining perspective would be crucial as the season progresses.

    “You need to be happy about it, but at the same time not get carried away from it and still maintain focus. The job is not done yet. We’re only halfway through and there is still so much that needs to happen and so much to be achieved.”

    Tennis star Roger Federer attends the Pirelli Hot Laps event. Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

    Roger Federer advice helps Antonelli relax

    Antonelli also discussed advice from tennis great Roger Federer, who encouraged him to “always be yourself and be able to enjoy it as well”. The Formula 1 driver said that guidance had helped him adopt a more relaxed approach behind the wheel.

    “When you understand that you also have to enjoy it as well, it makes the difference, because it helps you to, I feel like at least in my case, drive more relaxed, enjoy the driving more, feel more the car, and then the performance just comes much easier,” Antonelli continued.

    He contrasted that mindset with the pressure of forcing performance and explained how finding positives in difficult moments can support his development.

    “Instead of when you’re chasing it, and you’re driving tense, it’s a big difference. But of course, trying to be yourself and always focusing on the goal and always also try to see the positive, even in the bad situations. Even when something goes bad, there’s always a positive. That can be found, and that can help you to grow.”