Antonelli receives ultimate Schumacher praise after historic home victory
Antonelli has earned the highest comparison in Italy (Photo: Race Pictures)
12:45, 07 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Kimi Antonelli has received the highest praise possible in Formula 1 - being compared to Michael Schumacher.
The Mercedes driver became the first Italian winner of the Italian Grand Prix in stunning fashion, taking the win after starting from 19th on the grid.
It was his seventh victory out of 13 races this season and increased the 20-year-old’s drivers’ championship lead to 66 points over teammate George Russell.
Antonelli had to pass Russell to do so, and deal with a red flag, all of which saw him compared to Monza’s favourite idol.
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Rosberg compares Antonelli to Michael Schumacher
Speaking on Sky Germany post-race, 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg said: “He just turned 20 years old. It was a historic drive.
“He drove like Michael Schumacher used to - coming from the back through the field.”
Turning to Michael’s brother, Ralf, Rosberg continued: “Have you already said that? Ralf probably already said it: ‘Just like Michael.’
“But seriously, he came through the field perfectly. After the first start, he was already up to 12th. After the second start, I don't know- maybe sixth, then fifth, then third. He was immediately there.
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“He did everything perfectly. The speed was there. Truly phenomenal. In only his second year in Formula 1 - it's unbelievable.”
Antonelli is now the outstanding favourite for this season's title (Photo: Race Pictures)
Asked if the comparisons with his brother were valid, Ralf responded: “Absolutely. What he's doing is genuinely very good, and he's simply performing better than his teammate at the moment.”
Michael Schumacher’s legendary achievements often came alongside what was widely considered a ‘number two driver’, with Rubens Barrichello often the one to make way at Ferrari.
However, Antonelli is up against a teammate who was seen as the firm favourite for the title pre-season after the Italian struggled alongside him last year.
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Ralf Schumacher identifies Antonelli advantage over Russell
Explaining the current dynamic at Mercedes, Ralf said: “It won’t necessarily always stay that way. Sometimes a car upgrade or a development step comes along that suddenly suits George Russell better.
“George Russell is a fantastic driver, but right now Antonelli is on a roll. There's another factor as well. He likes to talk about it; I don't like talking about it as much. It's the whole issue of how you feel.
“I don't want to call it mind games, but Kimi has the complete support of the team. George has support too, but Kimi is very close to the team boss. That has an effect.
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“And when everything is running smoothly for Kimi while things aren't working out for George, then you start hearing ghosts everywhere, so to speak - and that doesn't help, I imagine.”
Rosberg was in agreement, having gone through a similar battle with Lewis Hamilton while at Mercedes.
Rosberg warns of ‘crazy’ psychological battle at Mercedes
He added: “Internally, it's so difficult when your main rival is your teammate. Even today, George probably immediately thinks: ‘Wow, they gave him the better strategy. This is unbelievable. It's unfair.’
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“Even if that's probably not true, that's where your mind goes. It can drive you completely crazy psychologically.
“If I were in his position and had to take a defeat like this - where my teammate started last and still beat me - wow, that would be a brutal defeat for me.
“But I thought he handled it very professionally, both on the radio and afterwards. Very composed.”
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