Kimi Antonelli praises 'mind-blowing' MotoGP riders: 'They're more nuts than us!'
19:30, 04 Jun
0 Comments
Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.
Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli has voiced his astonishment at the abilities and bravery of MotoGP riders following his trip to the Mugello Circuit in Italy last weekend.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, who has already picked up four wins in the opening fives races of the F1 season, was a special guest at the Italian Grand Prix and was even given the honour of waving the chequered flag as his friend and Italian compatriot Marco Bezzecchi won the race.
Antonelli has a good relationship with many of MotoGP's Italian riders. He was spotted earlier in the year watching a training session at Valentino Rossi's Motor Ranch and has previously congratulated Bezzecchi for his wins this season.
They're definitely more nuts than us!- Kimi Antonelli on MotoGP-F1 comparisons
In Mugello, as Italian manufacturers Aprilia dominated their rivals in front of a home crowd, Antonelli was center stage during the celebrations in pit lane, and congratulated both Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia for their performances.
ADVERTISEMENT
The pair were also in the headlines recently for being mentioned by Italian tennis star Yannick Sinner during his Miami Open victory back in March. All things point towards a positive future for Italian sport, particularly when it comes to motorsport.
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi won the Italian Grand Prix and leads the MotoGP Championship [Photo: Red Bull Content Pool]
Antonelli blown away by MotoGP rider bravery
Having witnessed the MotoGP race first-hand, Antonelli was stunned by the bravery and athleticism of the riders. He was particularly impressed with the mindset of riders who crash and immediately mount their spare bikes again to rejoin, a rule which is being considered for removal in 2027.
"What they do is unbelievable. What really is mind blowing is they crash then they run back, get a second bike and go even quicker." said the young F1 driver, "It means you're missing something in the head! They're definitely more nuts than us."
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Monaco Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
F1 Today: Leclerc pens new Ferrari deal, Hamilton absent from FIA Monaco GP list
8158 times read
2
Verstappen sounds alarm as Ocon admits: "At today's prices I would not be here"
1581 times read
3
Hamilton steals Monaco spotlight with ultra-rare Ducati arrival
1189 times read
4
The F1 drivers who live in Monaco and why they choose to live there
1173 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 131 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 88 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 75 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 72 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 58 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 48 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 43 | |
8 | AlpineALP | 20 | |
9 | HaasHAA | 18 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 16 |
Loading
