Antonelli not solely focused on Formula One: 'Not asking for anything'

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is only 17 years old and yet his name is very much mentioned. The young Italian has made a big jump from Formula Regional to Formula 2 and is seen by many as Lewis Hamilton' s potential successor at Mercedes. But Antonelli is trying not to be blown over by this pressure.

Antonelli made a lot of noise when he made the jump into F2. Yet the Italian himself did not see this big move coming. "I never expected to go straight into F2. When they informed me that this was the plan, I thought it would be a big jump, because you usually go to F3 first, but at the same time the challenge was immediately appealing to me," Antonelli told Motorsport.com.

Despite Mercedes' confidence, Antonelli did not see immediate victories ahead of him in the new class. "I didn’t plan on coming to F2 and winning everything, I was always aware that the jump from Formula Regional would be very challenging and I was aware that I had a lot to learn, which I am still doing," Antonelli said.

In his first season in Formula 2, Antonelli took two wins, including at Silverstone. At the moment, Antonelli's only goal is to do well in Formula 2, with his potential future at Mercedes not being his sole focus for now. "I’m very happy to be considered, but I’m not asking for anything," he concluded.