Schumacher fierce on Antonelli: 'He's no Max Verstappen'
George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Toto Wolff. Photo: RacePictures
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been urged by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher to "get a grip" on his F1 rookie season, and asserted the Italian youngster is "no Max Verstappen."
Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Italian fans in F1 paddock. Photo: RacePictures
Antonelli's poor form has been draggin on since the Canadian Grand Prix. At first it was to be believed that the rear suspension upgrade introduced by Mercedes at Imola had set him back.
Nevertheless said upgrade was taken off the car in Hungary, and the rookie continues to be unable to stay clear of mistakes.
Speaking on Formel1.de's Youtube channel, the Sky Sports Germany's analyst believes that despite Mercedes boss' protection, the expectations around the youngster were just too high.
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"Toto Wolff tried to protect him on the one hand, but the expectations were simply far too high," Schumacher said, before acknowledging that even though Antonelli still needs time to acclimatise to F1, it can't take as long as it currently is.
"Formula 1 is just not a pony farm and it has to go a little faster." Which may also be sensed by Antonelli himslef, as lately he's been taking more risks, which, however, have led to mistakes. "He urgently needs to get a grip on that."
Should Antonelli not improve, it may be that his stint at Mercedes is cut short, since the backlash within the team "is likely to be great," Schumacher opined.
The former F1 driver also believes that a time in a midfield team could be just what he needs to find his feet again in Formula One.
"Then you could think about whether he wouldn't be an issue at Alpine or something like that - i.e. with a smaller team - where he has a bit more peace."
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Amid the soaring expectations of replacing Lewis Hamilton at a top team and being compared to Max Verstappen, Antonelli was expected to do "too much," Schumacher thinks. The German then takes issue with the comparison made between the Italian rookie and the Red Bull champion.
"And he shouldn't hold it against me, but: He's not a Max Verstappen," Schumacher concluded.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (left) and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem (right) in Monza. Photo: RacePictures.
Antonelli under Wolff's protection and scrutiny
Antonelli has long sinced been protected by Wolff. When the Italian driver found the wall on his debut in FP1 at Monza, the Austrian was the first to shield him and dial down the sky high expectations on the youngster.
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Nevertheless, following the Dutch Grand Prix, Wolff admitted that with the rookie there have been more tear your hair out moments, than good times, and after Antonelli's home race in Monza, the Austrian acknowledged his driver's weekend had been 'underwhelming.'
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