‘Bono’ sees shades of Hamilton and Schumacher in Antonelli amid standout win
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Peter Bonnington was so impressed by Kimi Antonelli that he even drew comparisons with two F1 legends such as Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
“Then I met the likes of Michael (Schumacher), I met the likes of Lewis (Hamilton), and then you realise that no, there is the extra step, and that’s what Kimi has got. He’s got that extra tenth or two”- Peter Bonnington
Speaking with Sky Sports after the race in Shanghai, which marked the young Italian driver’s first victory in Formula 1, Bonnington — the long-time race engineer of the seven-time world champion — said he could see traits of both Hamilton and Michael Schumacher in him.
“I read the book about the 10,000-hour rule many years ago, and I started to really strongly believe that if we all had enough practice, we’d be good enough. Then I met the likes of Michael (Schumacher), I met the likes of Lewis (Hamilton), and then you realise that no, there is the extra step, and that’s what Kimi has got. He’s got that extra tenth or two.
“It shows up a lot in the data, in that there’s the balance traces that we look at, where you look at it and think, ‘I don’t know how he’s driving a car so neutral yet keeping it all together, keeping the temperatures under control, yet the thing is ready to pivot on its own axis.’
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“It’s a thing to watch. It’s great to see, and they always come back with feedback that you think, ‘umh?’. You’re able to react to a lot of things, and when they come back with feedback that it needs to be turned on its head, they can adapt to stuff.”
Photo: Race Pictures
Russell warned after Antonelli’s first win: ‘He has a lot less to smile about’
Speaking to to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Riccardo Patrese suggested Russell may now have a reason to feel less comfortable after Antonelli’s remarkable performance over the weekend. According to the former driver, the Briton is likely to be asking himself a few questions following the young Italian’s breakthrough display.
Patrese noted that Russell had always known Antonelli was a talented driver, but perhaps did not expect him to deliver such a complete performance so early in his career. The Italian controlled the race with maturity, avoided mistakes and managed his tyres with impressive composure.
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In Patrese’s view, Antonelli’s pace also hinted that he still had something in reserve, even if Russell had managed to close the gap — a scenario that could leave the Mercedes driver slightly concerned heading into the next races.
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