Kimi welcomes Kimi: what 2007 Ferrari world champion thinks of Antonelli in Formula 1

09/08/2024 04:40 AM

Former Scuderia Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen returned to the Formula 1 paddock during the Italian GP in Monza. His visit took place on Saturday, the same day Mercedes officially announced the Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli (born in 2006) as part of their line-up alongside George Russell for the 2025 season.

Kimi Raikkonen’s opinion on Kimi Antonelli’s arrival in F1

Of course, when Kimi Raikkonen was approached by the media, there had to be a question about the young driver who shares his name: “I’m aware of his situation. They told us Mercedes made the announcement just as we arrived at the track,” reports ‘Formula1.com.’

“I think it’s incredible news,” the 2007 Formula One world champion with Ferrari continued. “Next season will see a lot of new faces, and that’s good for the sport. I think it’s fantastic to have an Italian driver back on the grid. Positive news for everyone.” – the Finn added.

Raikkonen: “The team will know how to prepare him”

Many wonder if it might be too early to put Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a Formula 1 car at such a young age, especially since he skipped Formula 3 and hasn’t achieved great results in F2, apart from winning the Sprint Race at Silverstone and the Feature Race in Hungary.

The 2007 Formula 1 World Champion from Finland is confident that the Italian will do well behind the wheel of the Mercedes next year, considering how things used to be: “Andrea Kimi will be well-prepared. The team will know what to do. Nowadays, you can rely on simulators. In my time, they didn't exist. You just jumped in! Now, in some ways, it's much easier. I wish him and the other rookies all the best,” Kimi Raikkonen concluded, as reported by the official Formula 1 website.

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